In fact, there is a strong hockey fraternity within Nelson Bay going back nearly four decades, primarily the result of countless hard-working committee members and parents, staunchly led by the man affectionately known as 'Mr Hockey', Vince Northwood.

Northwood, a former school teacher at Raymond Terrace High, with playing teammate Barry Pugh - also a school teacher at the former Nelson Bay High - were responsible for establishing the Nelson Bay Hockey Club in 1985.

Now aged 76, the club founder remains as active as ever behind the scenes - coaching, mentoring and volunteering his time to the sport he picked up in his mid-20s quite by accident.

"I had always played rugby league throughout my school years but had to give the game away at age 20 because of nagging shoulder injuries," he said.

"Then one Saturday afternoon sitting in the pub at Cowra with a bunch of school teachers we were approached by a local wanting to know if any of us wanted to have a hit at hockey and I thought I would give it a go. I took a real shine to the game and I have never looked back."

In fact, Northwood continued playing until the age of 50.

Vince Northwood was born in Sydney and attended Marist Brothers Kogarah where league was the prominent sport, but it was in farming that Northwood developed an even stronger interest.

"We had relatives out Cootamundra way and I would visit most school holidays and just loved the farming life."

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Post-school, Northwood studied economics and agriculture at Sydney University, graduated with a diploma of education and became an ag and science teacher. The late 1960s brought great social change in Australia and university students - many being the first of the 'baby boomers' - were at the forefront.

"You could sense there was great change on the way, socially and culturally, with issues such as the Vietnam War and the Pill and I felt very much a part of that."

Northwood's first teaching job was in Cowra where he met wife, Andrea - the couple have been married 50 years and have three children and eight grandchildren - and soon the teaching couple took time away from the classroom to travel through Europe in a Kombi van.

"This was another great cultural awakening for me. We spent some time in Cyprus with Andrea's family which was a real eye-opener... I was introduced to a whole new culture, new language and new food. Even today I enjoy potting around in the garden, growing my own olives and making my own jams."

After a stint at Cootamundra high school, Northwood was posted to Raymond Terrace High (now Hunter River) and the family moved to Corlette.

With no local team Northwood was forced to travel into Newcastle to play first grade hockey when the idea of starting up a Nelson Bay club was kicked around.

"We started with a few juniors playing out of Tomaree sporting complex on a Wednesday afternoon... today we run our own junior competition at the upgraded Salamander sports centre with four mixed teams in three grades. This year we did away with the age groups and adopted an A, B and C grade, which allows players to move up and down the grades based on their ability and skill level, not on their age... and it has worked. We also have senior men's and women's teams playing in the Newcastle competition on artificial turf."

Northwood says he gets the most satisfaction from watching young players develop and learn new skills.

"It is very encouraging when you see young players go on to play as seniors. I am now coaching the children and even grandchildren of people I played with."

His long-term commitment to Port Stephens hockey has ensured the club's continued growth but he is not one to seek the limelight, in fact he insisted on paying tribute to the many committee members over the years who have worked tirelessly to ensure the sport's ongoing future.

"In particular I have to mention another long-term committee member, secretary Lindsay Brown, who has worked beside me over many of those years as a coach and administrator."

Northwood said the last two seasons had been the toughest faced by the Nelson Bay club for players, parents and committee.

"The COVID lockdowns and restrictions have been very hard on many families, not only in hockey but in team sport generally. Kids are missing out on the many health and exercise benefits that sport brings, which cannot be good for their physical or mental well-being," he said.

"Kids need time to play and interact and organised team sport is very important in their growth... instead of being able to get out kick a ball around they are turning to computer games, or for the older ones using social media, to keep themselves occupied. In 2020 we had a shortened season and this year we were unable to complete our competitions, even to this day we are not sure if we can have a presentation or not."

Northwood has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the sport with life membership of the Nelson Bay Hockey Club and in 2015 he was awarded the Port Stephens Sportsperson of the Year, but there's a much deeper satisfaction for Nelson Bay hockey's quiet achiever.

He still attends every competition day and is always the first to arrive and the last to leave, and it's something he hopes to be doing for many more years to come.

We want to find the people in the Port's sporting community who deserve the spotlight, whether it's a star athlete, a quiet achiever, a dedicated volunteer. In an email titled 'Sport Nomination', send the details including name, sport/club, a bit about the person you're nominating and a photo to portstephens@austcommunitymedia.com.au.