Mary Teasdale Smith descended from the famous Waterhouse family who had been so instrumental in introducing hockey to SA at the beginning of the century.
Mary Teesdale Smith descended from the famous Waterhouse family who had been so instrumental in introducing hockey to SA at the beginning of the century.
From a wealthy family, she used to dribble the ball and practice her “dodges” in their front garden.
She was a pacy, skilled forward, debuting with the Hockeyroos in 1946 as No. 121, and after retiring as a player, she was an equally skilled coach.
Her leadership on and off the field was influential.
According to a sports women’s report by the famous Lois Quarrell in The Advertiser on 9 July 1948, Mary Teesdale Smith was elected by ballot as the new SA State coach.
Lois Quarrell’s article read: “State hockey coach Miss Mary Teesdale Smith is confident that the young but experienced South Australian team announced last week for the all-Australia tournament in Perth in August will do as well as any combination in the tournament.”
The coach is quoted as saying: “South Australia needs to believe that they can win. It is largely a matter of psychology.”
A State player since 1939, she was chosen as the best inner left at the 1947 tournament and selected to tour New Zealand with the Australian team in 1948. She became Hockeyroo Player No. 121.
Her goal scoring for that season had reached the phenomenal figure of 44.
She volunteered to coach Adelaide University in A grade but also gave free weekly coaching sessions to all players from any club.
She was forward thinking as State coach, introducing the use of psychology in her team preparation and innovations in the team’s playing style.
