Toowoomba was a former Brisbane player named Mrs. Alma Byrne, also known as Alma Small. In 1928, she organised the first Women's Hockey meeting in Duncan Thompson's Sports Store, which led to the formation of the Toowoomba Hockey Association Inc. This initial meeting saw the establishment of three teams: Whynot, Dehradoon, and Gumnut.
Over the years, more teams joined, including Collegians in 1930 and Bluebirds, a St James Church team, in 1931.
In 1929, the Toowoomba Women's Hockey Association successfully applied for affiliation with the Queensland Hockey Association. This affiliation allowed the Toowoomba teams to participate in regional and state competitions. Notably, in 1930, Toowoomba had its first internationally selected player, Ella Ritson, who was chosen to represent Australia in hockey. However, Ella didn't have the opportunity to play a match during her time as an international player.
In parallel, the Men's Hockey Association in Toowoomba began to take shape in 1928. A group of players joined together to play a hockey-like sport using wooden lumps and anything they could whack around. These impromptu games took place at Coronation Park in Stephen Street, now known as an iconic location for hockey in the city. Eventually, in March 1931, a meeting was held to officially form the Toowoomba Men's Hockey Association, marking the beginning of organised men's hockey in Toowoomba.
Since its inception, the Toowoomba Hockey Association Inc. has grown to become a prominent and respected sports club in Toowoomba. The club has a strong focus on fostering community engagement and providing opportunities for both competitive and recreational hockey players. The association organises various events and competitions, which can be found on their events calendar.
Toowoomba Hockey Association Inc. is grateful for the support received from the Queensland Government, which has contributed to getting more Queenslanders active through sport and recreation. The association's website, designed by Artifox, serves as a reliable source of information for its members and those interested in joining.