Daphne Hall

Daphne Hall served as President from 2012 to 2014.

A past pupil of Dundalk Grammar school she came to Dublin to attend the Ling Physical Education College. After graduating from Ling, Daphne travelled to Wales to take up the position of Head of the P.E. Department of Hafodunos Hall, a Private Boarding school for girls in North Wales.

In 1969 Daphne married and returned to her native Dundalk. There she taught in her alma mater, Dundalk Grammar School. During this time, Daphne founded Dundalk Hockey Club however after moving South to Dublin with her young family, the club soon folded.

While bringing up her family, Daphne went to an interview to register her 3 daughters at Rathdown School, Glenageary. As luck would have it the Headmistress at the time, Stella Mew, had also taught in Wales, and was aware of Daphne’s skills as a Hockey Teacher. Stella did not miss her opportunity and offered Daphne a part time role as PE teacher and her three daughters all got their places in the school ! Daphne soon became full time and worked there for 10 years. It was during this time that Daphne first got involved with the Leinster Schools Committee serving in several positions as Cup Secretary, Treasurer and Chairperson.

Whilst on the Leinster Council, Daphne became a member of the Youth and Schools Committee, currently now known as “The Irish Schools Committee”.  Daphne was also Chairperson of the Irish School and Colleges, and served as a member of the Board of Hockey Ireland.

In 2012 Daphne was honoured to become President of Hockey Ireland, having served as Vice President for the previous 2 years. Whilst President, Daphne travelled to Malaysia with the CEO of Irish Hockey to bid to host the next FIH congress in Ireland. Daphne presented Ireland’s bid and they were successful in their bid returning home to Ireland, delighted. However, it was not to be, as a decision was taken at Board level to respectfully decline.

After stepping down from her role as President, Daphne was asked to help re-establish the Irish Schools committee which had run into difficulties. Daphne served on this for 5 years, stepping down in May 2020.

Daphne was made Honorary Life Member of Hockey Ireland in 2019, a fitting award to someone who has contributed so much to the game she loves.