Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Women’s World Championship taking place on Saturday

On Saturday 26th July 2025, members of the Organising Committee and the 1975 Scottish team, plus guests will attend the Scotland v France women’s international match at Peffermill, and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Women’s World Championship.

The IFWHA was formed in 1927 with eight member Associations, Australia, Denmark, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales. In 1975 fifty-four delegates from thirty member Associations attended and twenty-one countries were represented by teams. Two more Conferences and Tournaments were to follow in 1979, Vancouver and 1983, Malaysia, the last, when the IFWHA merged with the FIH, allowing women’s hockey to enter the Olympic Games.

Eileen Hyndman MBE and IFWHA President was a key member of the joint Supreme Council, ensuring that the position of IFWHA members was secure under the FIH.

The full history and records of the IFWHA can be found in the National Records of Scotland, deposited there, when the SWHA through Margot Stewart, Scotland who was the IFWHA Honorary Secretary at the time, were entrusted with their safekeeping.

The Conference Executive Committee was set up in 1971, convened by Jean Calder, SWHA President, with the responsibility for the planning and organisation of the Conference, a key part of the event and the Tournament, and in conjunction with the Districts for the organisation of tours prior to and following the Conference. Nancy Muir, Scotland was appointed by the IFWHA to be the Honorary Tournament Secretary.

By 1972 committees were set up to deal with the above, the Village at Pollock Halls, all Technical aspects at Meadowbank and Peffermill, finance, media, transport, ticketing, stewarding, ceremonial – a huge undertaking involving many members of the SWHA. It is important to note that those involved in all aspects of the event were volunteers.

Also in the years leading up to 1975, the SWHA, Districts and clubs had organised many fund raising events, including the sale of memorabilia, which will be exhibited at the 50th Anniversary. The same districts and clubs, along with members of the SHA, provided the many volunteers required to deliver the event, schools provided the ball girls and the dancers for the Opening Ceremony, and the Girl Guides were responsible for the many ceremonial duties.The SWHA were fortunate to receive the support of the Scottish Sports Council; the City of Edinburgh; the Royal Bank of Scotland; the University of Edinburgh; Grays of Cambridge; the Peregrines (SWHA Touring team); and the hosting of a reception by Her Majesty’s Government at Edinburgh Castle. His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh gave his patronage to the Conference and Tournament.

With the exception of the first and final match, both played at Meadowbank, the games were played on the University of Edinburgh grounds at Peffermill, all grass pitches.

Twenty one countries took part, the numbers being made up to 22 by a Great Britain and Ireland U23 team, following the withdrawal of the All South Africa and Rhodesia team. For the first time, teams were seeded and arranged into six sections, pool matches played, followed by a series of cross over and play off matches.

The championship was played with new rules, the push-in instead of the roll in, two only for off side, defending forwards at corners on the half way line, and the penalty stroke instead of the penalty bully, mention is also made of more use of the scoop.

The Scottish umpires at the tournament were Louie Kerr, Catherine Clarke, Joyce Henderson and Bett Loudon.

Rae Nicholson, captain of the 1975 Scottish team will write separately of her and the team’s memories of the tournament. They will meet with the current Scottish team after the match and have been asked by the coach, Chris Duncan to present Scottish caps to the newly capped players. The article and photos from the day will be published following the event.

The full report of the 11th Conference and Tournament can be found in the SWHA 75th Anniversary Book

A film of the event is held by the National Library of Scotland   https://movingimage.nls.uk/fim/9885

For more information contact info@scottish-hockey-heritage

From the Hockey Museum a comparison of three World Tournaments and Cups

https://hockeymuseum.org

 

Tickets and info for Scotland v France can be found HERE

 

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