ALYSON ANNAN OAM

Described by her coach Dr Ric Charlesworth as ‘the complete player,’ Alyson Annan OAM forged her reputation as one of the world’s most skillful – and decorated – hockey stars during an international career which spanned from 1988-2003 and consisted of 228 matches. 

Annan started playing in the Campbelltown City Women’s Hockey Association, and her star qualities were undeniable from the outset. Her combination of deft skills and sheer class ensured she enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks: representing NSW at 15 before making her international debut at 18. 

She was at the forefront of a Hockeyroos squad which dominated the world for almost a decade. Among its achievements the Hockeyroos won the 1996 and 2000 Olympic gold medals, the 1994 and 98 World Cups, five consecutive Championship Trophies and the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medal. 

 
As an attacking midfielder, Annan scored a total of 166 international goals – a tally which (as of July 1, 2023) remains unsurpassed by any other Hockeyroo. Her status as one of the world’s best ensured she collected almost as many personal accolades along the way.  

She also dominated in the highly competitive Dutch domestic league, being named Player of the Year in 2002 and 03. After basing herself in the Netherlands she coached at the powerhouse Amsterdamsche Hockey and Bandy Club, the oldest club in the Netherlands and mainland Europe. 

Included among Annan’s long list of honours are: 

•  The Order of Australia (1996) 

•  International Player of the Year (1998 & 2000) 
•  Finalist Women’s Sports Foundation (USA) World Sportswoman of the Year (1998) 
•  Player of the 1998 World Cup Tournament 
•  Player of the 1997 Champions Trophy award  
• Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2013) 

After her retirement in 2003, Annan coached the Netherlands Olympic team to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medal. In 2023 the Chinese Hockey Association recruited her to coach their national team with Ric Charlesworth acting as her assistant.