INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
CONFERENCE AND TOURNAMENT, EDINBURGH, 28th Aug - 11th Sept 1975
The Opening Ceremony at Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, 28th August 1975
On Saturday 26th July 2025, members of the Organising Committee and the 1975 Scottish team, plus guests attended the Scotland v France women’s international match at Peffermill, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1st 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 planning for the 1975 Tournament started in 1971 with the setting up of the Conference Executive Committee. It was 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.
Standing (l to r) - Margot Stewart, Nan Smith, Wendy McLean, Marjory Campbell, Margaret Hendry, Kit Gow, Catherine Clarke, Cath Lambert, Christine Duff, Louie Kerr, Doris Morison- Inches, Ellice Milroy, Katherine Paterson, Tony Ireland, Jennifer Cochrane, Elaine Turner
Seated (l to r) - Nancy Muir, Eileen Hyndman, Joan Fleming, Jean Calder, Anne Gulland
Missing - Pat Skene (Transport), Doreen Smith (Peregrines)
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, some of 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.
Willie Ross, the Secretary of State for Scotland declaring the 11th Conference and Tournament open. Eileen Hyndman MBE and IFWHA President is on the left and Jean Calder SWHA President is on the right
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 Under 23 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.
England who defeated Wales in the final, became the first holders of the Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich
Anita White, captain of England team, on receiving the trophy
The Quaich, and its Scottish traditions of friendship, were retained as the centrepiece of the newly designed Women's World Cup Trophy in 2018
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 Betty 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.org
From the Hockey Museum a comparison of the three World Tournaments and Cups played in the UK https://hockeymuseum.org
RAE NICHOLSON, Captain of the 1975 Scotland team, looks back on the memories of the tournament
It was a daunting but exciting experience to captain the Scottish Squad in the first ever IFWHA World Tournament in 1975. The previous selection process, very much outdated, was changed mainly due to the monumental efforts of Marie Weir, the Scottish Women’s coach. The squad comprised seven senior players, and the remaining eight players with an average of four caps each, had little or no experience of international hockey. So much had to be addressed.
The entire squad worked tirelessly to come together as one, and with family, friends and many members of the Scottish hockey community raised thousands of pounds to finance training trips to Europe, in an effort to better prepare the squad to face the continental style of play and umpiring.
Although the squad was announced at the end of March, we had a rest at the end of the season, before embarking on a training weekend in Holland in April, and a similar venture to Germany in June. We were preparing to play seven international matches in ten days.
The emphasis on fitness, stamina, improvement in individual technical ability, match play, competing against different styles of play all had to be improved. We had to blend as one, both on and off the pitch. Towards July and August, we played against men, who were much stronger and faster, and also played a different style of hockey. In August, we had a few days together in Craigflower, a boys’ prep school in Fife, where we worked on consolidating all aspects of our preparation.
We had done our best in readiness to perform on the biggest stage of our lives – to play in front of home support in Edinburgh.
All self funded, whilst holding down full time jobs!
1975 Scotland Squad
Louie Kerr (Umpire), Marie Weir (Coach), Gillian McIntyre, Helen McFadzean, Jinty Stewart, Kay Francis, Barbara Bell, Elaine Graham, Jennifer Cochrane (Manager), Helen Weir (Assistant Manager)
Isobel Flint, Anne Wilson, Anne MacLeod, Elan Borrowman, Rae Nicholson (Captain), Margaret Brown, Kathleen Haldane, Marietta Craigie, Susan MacVicar
There is no greater sporting honour than representing Scotland. How proud I was as captain and flag bearer, to lead out our Scottish Women’s Hockey Team at the Opening Ceremony of the IFWHA tournament at Meadowbank Stadium in August 1975. This was the first ever women’s World Hockey Tournament to be played in Scotland, and we had the privilege of playing in the opening match against Canada.
All of our hard work and training stood us in good stead as we realised our potential and recorded an excellent win, 5-0. Over the next ten days we had highs and lows, as, regrettably, we did not qualify to play in the section competing for top honours. After winning our initial section, we lost to Argentina by one penalty goal in a cross over match. A hard pill to swallow. We were seeded tenth, and our final placing was ninth. When it really mattered, as a team, we were not strong enough.
However, the experience of being part of such a well organised event was amazing and friendships were made that last to this day.
We fully enjoyed the social side of the event, and I hope the young players of today have the opportunity to experience what the 1975 squad did.
Rae Nicholson concludes her look back with a poem :
Our predecessors, strong and proud, planned a huge event
Destined to be incredible, success was the intent
Our privilege, as players, to take the field each day
Proud to be the Scottish Team in a very Scottish way
The many years for volunteers who managed this great ask
A World Hockey tournament in Edinburgh – a monumental task
A huge success there was no doubt, our thanks go and near and far
The endless, tireless efforts – everyone a star
In ’75 it was our dream to play for SCOTLAND
Perform in front of home support, what could be so grand?
We worked harder to be fitter, raised lots of money too
From all the players in Scotland we WERE the chosen few
No guarantee that we’d all play, but that’s just how it WAS
With fifteen players, no subs allowed, a different set of LAWS
Jinty, Helen, Kath and me, Broon, Breebs, Anne, Elan
Kate, Isobel, Marie, Elaine, Gill, Susan and Anne
Our squad of fifteen players, the honour so great
The pride we shared together, a unit to create
A cohesive effort to test our deep resolve
And use our preparation the puzzles now to solve
The HORRORS of Craigweed (Craigflower), the smell of YOU KNOW WHAT
That only boarding schools for boys could generate a LOT
We laughed, we trained, had lots of fun and tried to grin and bear it
The target, to produce our best, when together we could share it.
I won’t be sharing secrets, but only what I choose
The euphoria of winning, the deep hurt when we lose
To realise a childhood dream, and then it fades away
With a poor performance which will always stay.
We seeded 10th, but finished 9th, higher was our aim
We played so well in lots of ways, consistent NOT our claim
The pros and cons, the questions asked to solve the mystery
FRIENDS FOREVER WE’LL ALL BE, AS WE ARE HOCKEY HISORY
THE CELEBRATIONS
On a sunny Saturday in July, nine members of the Organising Committee, nine members of the Scottish team, and a number of guests, including the President and Chair of the Scottish Hockey Union attended the Scotland v France ladies hockey international match at Peffermill, Edinburgh.
A very different Peffermill from fifty years ago and a very different game of hockey.
All were there to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1975 IFWHA Conference and Tournament held in Edinburgh, at Peffermill and Meadowbank Stadium.
From reserved seating in the top row, there was much chat about the different rules and style of play, and quite a few coaching comments handed out.
Members of the 1975 organising committee and guests at Peffermill during the celebrations
Scotland past and present gather after the match
Rae Nicholson presents caps to Ava Wadsworth and Cat Nelli
Scotland team from 1975 – Jinty Stewart, Kath Haldane, Ann Wilson, Elaine Macara (Graham), Isobel Holdaway (Flint), Rae Nicholson, Gillian McIntyre, Marietta MacGregor (Craigie), Susan MacVicar
Inside Peffermill after the match, the 1975 film was on view, as was an exhibition table with memorabilia of the event. Jenny Grassick, SHHG chair, Martin Shepherdson, SHU Chair, Rae Nicholson and Kit Gow, who had been in charge of Peffermill Technical all spoke briefly of their involvement in the event.
Then it was time to ‘cut the cake’ with the members of the organising committee looking on as Wendy McLean did the honours.
1975 Organising Committee - Jennifer Munro, Sheila Hogg, Midge Miller, Evlyn Raistrick, Wendy McLean, Joyce Flannigan, Elaine Turner, Kit Gow, Liz Simpson
The players then departed to Scholars Restaurant, Pollock Halls to enjoy a long lunch, and the sharing of memories and memorabilia.
A light lunch was then served to the members of the Organising Committee and guests - which turned out to be a long lunch, with similar sharing of memories
THE INTERVIEWS
Tao MacLeod (Half Court Press, multimedia sports magazine) who previously has done interviews for the SHHG, interviewed Rae Nicholson, Wendy McLean, Kit Gow and Eugene Connelly. These interviews give a wonderful insight into their personal recollections. Click on their photo for the interview.
Visit the Scottish Hockey Heritage Group website, Oral History section, for more hockey interviews
https://www.scottish-hockey-heritage.org/our-heritage/oral-history/