Alison. Peek was named in the Australian Women’s Team of the Century. At 222 international games, Alison Peek is one of only three South Australians to have played more than 200 games for Australia.
Great friendships are borne from sport and Alison Peek’s friendship with fellow Olympic gold medalist, Juliet Haslam, is a fine example.
The two met when Peek, a former Campbelltown High student, and Haslam were both recruited into the Aroha Club, now Adelaide Hockey Club.
The then coach, Val Nairn, describes Peek this way, “Alison and Juliet (Haslam) were very similar. Very coachable, would never be beaten … hated losing, unassuming and very determined, had good speed and agility. Knew what to do with the ball before receiving it, natural understanding of positioning.”
Peek’s open, easy-going, welcoming smile clearly belies an unfaltering, unrelenting attitude on the field. That, plus masterful, intuitive skills were to take her to the highest possible plane in any sporting endeavour.
She relied on that tremendous tenacity and a never-beaten attitude to which Nairn referred, to win her way back into Hockeyroos’ Olympic Games selection after missing in 1996.
Peek along with Haslam, earned the distinction of being named in the Australian Women’s Team of the Century. Having played 222 international games, Alison Peek is one of only three South Australians to have played more than 200 games for Australia.
Peek along with Haslam, earned the distinction of being named in the Australian Women’s Team of the Century. Having played 222 international games, Alison Peek is one of only three South Australians to have played more than 200 games for Australia.
The international left half back earned a reputation as a brilliant, reliable tackler. For Australia, she was also trusted to trap the ball at penalty corners, both roles that need selflessness and focus. In the early 90s and in 2000 she played an important part in Australia establishing itself as a world force, now known as the Golden Era of women’s hockey.
Following the unsuccessful 1992 campaign in Barcelona, the Sydney Olympics provided her peak experience in capturing the gold medal against Argentina 3-1 before a huge home crowd.
‘Peeky’ is also a two-time World Cup winner and won four Champions Trophies over an outstanding 222 game and 7 goal international career.
She was inducted into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Sport SA Hall of Fame in 2019.
Such is her standing in the sport, Alison Peek was named as the Hockey Ambassador for the Australian Masters Games and the perpetual shield for Hockey SA’s Under-18 State Championships is named in her honour.
