www.headlinesofmylife.today: Memories of Dar women's hockey

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Memories of Dar women's hockey

By Ivy D'Souza

IN MOST places in Africa where there was a Goan club there were always men’s and women’s hockey teams to be found, especially in the main centres. Sport, music, dance and whatever social activities took your fancy were to be found.

Tanga, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Arusha/Moshi all had healthy sports teams and programs. Memories have gone walkabout into the heavens and names, dates, events and other info is hard to come by.

Below is one story, however much it might be lacking in all the facts.

Ivy D’Souza went to St Joseph’s Convent School, Dar es Salaam from 1946-1954. She was at the same school for all her education. She played netball, hockey and rounders at school. “There were no other sports for girls in those days. Loved hockey the best. Due to financial constraints left school in Form 2 (Standard X) 1955 and did a Typing Course. I also learnt to sew and made dresses for my African neighbours at TShs5/- each! Started work as Junior Typist in 1956 and joined the Shamrocks hockey team to continue my love for the sport. This was a group of mixed nationalities. Anglo-Indian, East Indian, Goan, Seychelles, Mauritian, Chinese and European. I changed jobs for more money but never gave up on my hockey - I ate, slept and dreamt hockey”.

The Shamrocks and the Wanderers (their male counterparts) were the most loving family I was lucky to have found. Besides many other social activities like dancing (Rock and Roll and Jiving), I sat on the back of their motorbikes (Harley Davidson, BSA, Matchless) and went to Ngerengere or Morogoro about two hours away for some weekends.

Back L-R: Margo D'Souza, Clara Machado, Margaret Devine, Ella Santos, Ida Madeira, Carmen Ahtou, Patsy Rowland, Thelma Fernandes, Olinda Pinto?, Letty Maleappa, FRONT L-R Belle Maleappa, Ivy D'Souza.

Zanzibar Goan Institute ladies and the Shamrocks (with badges on their blouses).

The Shamrocks and Wanderers made a trip to Zanzibar one Easter Weekend and were guests of the Goan Institute. East African Airways, our local airline, always had long weekend specials where return flights to neighbouring towns were much cheaper than at other times. We had a very successful weekend with both the Ladies' and Men’s teams doing well at Hockey and Soccer.

In 1958, I went to Tanga (about five hours driving away from Dar es Salaam) for three months and worked as a Typist, but still played Hockey for and with the Tanga Goan Institute Ladies.”

“I returned to Dar es Salaam in April 1958 and joined the Goan Institute Ladies team. We practised regularly in Upanga and had some serious games against the European Gymkhana Club team which was the only other Ladies Hockey team in Dar es Salaam”

The Dar es Salaam Ladies Goan Institute hockey team for a series of sports events in Zanzibar. August 3, 1958: Front Row: Veronica D’Mello, Myra Viegas, Julie Pinheiro, Ivy D’Souza, Ida Madeira. Back row: Florrie Fernandes, Olivia D’Mello, Bridget Figueiredo, Marie Devine, Winnie D’Souza, Florrie Martins.

Coaches: Chic Saldanha, Albert (Patch) D’Souza and Mr Figeuiredo with the men's and women's teams about to board the plane.

August 1958 saw the GI team venture into the unknown

On leave in Nairobi in early 1959, I was asked to play for a Goan ladies’ team - advised to say I was from Thika; I had no idea where that was! They fitted me with a uniform and hockey stick. I think I played Centre Forward, my usual position. Was very impressed with Ellen Fernandes who played next to me. Flicking the ball left or right, she was always there. It was a fantastic experience which I thoroughly enjoyed and have never forgotten - We won that game!