Tributes have been paid to Olympic hockey champion Sandy Pisani who dies last month, aged 63.
Pisani, who earned 105 caps, was in the Hockeyroos side that won Australia’s first Olympic gold medal in hockey at Seoul 1988.
She had also captained the Hockeyroos three years beforehand and competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Adelaide-based Pisani was later head selector when Australia wone won golds at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
Pisani is a life member of Hockey SA and was inducted into the SA sport hall of fame in 2015.
Former player Alison Peek said: “Sandy was the best team-mate, opponent, friend, mentor and role model. I asked her in ’89 if I could wear her #7 when I first made the Hockeyroos team. She was my idol.
Jill Atkins-Mackley wrote: “Very sad news. Fond memories of playing for England and GB against Sandy. What a tough player, a great character and wonderful personality.”
Pisani was diagnosed with cancer in December 2019
“Sandy has fought tirelessly and in true competitive spirit for more than than two years until her very last breath,” a family statement said.
“She loved her family and friends with great passion and heart, fiercely loyal and feisty, compassionate and kind, we will cherish all of our special memories and times shared in our hearts forever.”
