NHC Life Member - Phil Armstrong
Club Involvement
Executive Role - President - 1998 2011 2012 2013 2014
Executive Role - Vice President - 1989
NHC Committee - 2015
NHC Publicity Officer - 1995 1996
NHC 20 year committee - 1998
Playing Years (premierships)
A Grade - 1981 1983 1984 1992 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
B Grade - 1982 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Coaching (premierships)
A Grade - 1997 1998
B Grade - 2010 2011 2015
Under 15 - 1989
Under 14 - 1988 2010
Minkey - 2005 2066 2007 2008
Personal Achievements
NHC Best & Fairest - A Grade - 1984 1995 1999
NHC Best & Fairest - B Grade - 1982
BVHA Best & Fairest - A Grade - 1995 1999
BVHA Best & Fairest Runner Up - A Grade - 1984 1996
BVHA Best & Fairest Runner Up - B Grade - 2008
BVHA Team of the Year - 1999
BVHA Highest Goal Scorer - A Grade - 1984 (Club record 53 goals)
Senior games as at 30 September 2016 - 296
Awarded Life Membership - 2012
The Phil Armstrong Story:
Phil commenced playing for Nuri in 1981 and it was obvious from day one that this kid could play. He never seemed to hit the ball that hard but it always found the target, he never looked like he was moving quickly, but he was seldom dispossessed of the ball.
As we got to know Phil better, we learnt that he was naturally gifted, very witty, and always had a smart comment that was dry, and always hit the mark.
Phil’s achievements for Nuri are many over a 30 year span, however the outstanding feature is that they were done with a sense of fair play, respect and a touch of “we are the best” without being arrogant.
Phil always believed that the purpose of the club was to play the game- the other stuff is just a result of playing; his particular focus has been on our Junior Teams and our A-Grade program. Phil has often stated that the B-Grade is primarily there to provide and promote the stars of the future.
Phil has always had a sense of enthusiasm to be a part of the club - selling raffle tickets, working bees, vintage festivals, training, coaching, umpiring, line marking or putting up Premiership photos and Honour Boards, Phil takes on these tasks with no fuss and gets the job done.
Phil had many opportunities to follow other sports particularly cricket and footy for Angaston or within the SANFL – Big Phil was certainly good enough to play at the highest level, but he chose to stay with hockey – Asked once why he stayed with hockey “I just liked the people at Nuri”.
Over the years, Phil has been our Team mate, Coach, Umpire, Publicity Officer, Committee man, Vice-President and most recently our President à he is a leader that has influenced everyone that has been a part of the Nuriootpa Hockey Club journey.
We are extremely fortunate that Phil Armstrong has stayed loyal to the NHC for over 30 years.
A true Club Champion.
The Thirteenth Life Member of Nuriootpa Hockey Club - Phil Armstrong