She played A Grade at age 16. In 1976, she was selected to the State team under Dennis Glencross and the game of hit and hope suddenly ‘had become ‘cover defense’ and ‘attacking strategies’.
Many of the people featured in this project are those players who have achieved at a remarkable playing level on the international stage, but Jane Lamprey’s distinction lies with a career of extended learning with the purpose of giving back as a coach.
She played A Grade at age 16 and confesses never giving any thought to the ‘finer points of the game’ until, through her natural skills and athletic presence, she was selected to the 1976 State team under Dennis Glencross.
The game of hit and hope’ had become ‘cover defence’ and ‘attacking strategies.’
She was a tall, deep defender, powerful, and described as ‘tough as nails’, occasionally giving the ball a thunderous hammering out of defence in order to unsettle opposition players.
In 1977, it was a revelation to play against the world No. 1 The Netherlands and to observe the masterful team at their peak. Three years later, she was appointed coach of Brighton.
“It was a very satisfying pursuit,” she recalls of coaching. After coaching the SA Under 21 team for two years and 20 years in hockey including captaining SA, she was finally chosen as senior State coach.
Her role as a Secondary School PE teacher helped her teach and coach the game in all its detail.
She is a life member of the Seacliff Hockey Club and as an important reflection of her personal values, the Premier League women’s team features the Jane Lamprey Award for Team Endeavour.
