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On Saturday the 07th May 2011 at an Australian Ice Hockey League game between the Adelaide Adrenaline and the Gold Coast Blue Tongues, South Australia’s Premier, the Honourable Mike Rann, and IHA Treasurer, Kevin Brown, joined South Australia’s Ice Hockey Family to bestow Ice Hockey Australia’s Life Membership to two long serving South Australia Ice Hockey Association members in honour of their dedication to the sport of ice hockey in Australia.
Bill Vis Bill Vis’ contribution to ice hockey in South Australia and nationally is enormous and second to none. Bill, through his company VIP Home Services, has sponsored clubs and leagues both locally in South Australia and interstate with clubs in the Australian Ice Hockey league to ensure the sport continues to prosper in Australia. Bill has contributed to the sport as a player and coach for over 46 years and for a number of years as a major sponsor with South Australia’s Clubs, National Leagues and World Championships with no expectation of reward or return. His love of the game has Bill continuing to play whenever he can with the Adelaide Vintage Reds every Monday evening and in the Old-timers Ice Hockey Australian Network’s (OiHAN) tournaments every year. Stephen Kilgariff Stephen Kilgariff commenced his ice hockey career in 1967 when he commenced playing for the Adelaide Redwings Ice Hockey Club’s B-Grade Team. Stephen went on to represent South Australia on a number of SA state teams at national championships, tournaments and exhibition games against visiting international teams. He was awarded the Redwing’s Life Membership in 1977 and South Australia Ice Hockey association Life Membership in 1996. In 1978, Stephen was an integral member of the design consultants for the new Payneham Ice Rink for the Grove Group of Companies. He assisted in providing the detailed insight into the requirements of Ice Hockey in the design of the facility. In 1979, Stephen again provided design and construction advice to Alf Machin and his Architect, Bruce Bussenschutt, for the construction of the Thebarton Ice Arena which continues to provide the only ice surface Adelaide ice sports enthusiasts enjoy today. In 1982, Stephen switched to officiating where he attended a Level 2 Refereeing Certificate Course for the COMITÉ INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIQUE in Adelaide gaining Certification with Australian Ice Hockey Federation and the Australian Olympic Council as a referee. At the time, Level 2 was the 2nd highest level achievable. From 1983 – 1986 Stephen officiated in the Australian National Ice Hockey League (ANIHL) accumulating over 40 ANIHL games and over 90 games in Adelaide’s local leagues. In 1983, Stephen was appointed the Tribunal Disciplinary Committee Chairman for the South Australian Ice Hockey Association and has held this role for 28 years. During this term he also held the President’s position, was SA’s Delegate to Federation’s Board, and was instrumental in the formation of OiHAN and fund raising programs. In 2007 Stephen was appointed to National Director for Tribunal & Disciplinary Matters for Ice Hockey Australia which he still holds today. |
