Meet the Players – Mens Club
Name: Tom Craig
Grade played for Ryde in 2014: 1st Grade
Name: Greg Findley
Occupation: own and run a business that sells Rope and Cordage throughout Australia. Boating/Camping/Fishing/Industrial
Grade played for Ryde in 2014: 4th Grade
Position: Striker
Nickname/s: Greggy, Grego, Greggles, Strawb, Finlay
Hockey background: Ryde since 2001 – present / Parramatta from 1984-1999
The highlight of my career playing for Ryde: Watching my two sons begin their hockey careers at Ryde. Back to back 3rd grade premierships 08/09
Why I play hockey for Ryde: Is there another club? Seriously best group of people and families I have ever come across. Whether it’s Juniors/Mens/Women/Masters or parents, such a fantastic community. All volunteer!! Have made many lifetime friends.
Outside hockey I enjoy: Family time, whatever that may be; Other sports such as Cricket/Footy; Gardening; Technology
Name: Billy Shaw
Occupation: Engineer
Grade played for Ryde in 2014: 1st Grade
Position: Half back
Nickname/s: Billy/Mamba
Hockey background: AHL (2008-current), Australian U21 (2011)
The highlight of my career playing for Ryde: Part of the 2014 1st Grade team which finished the highest spot for Ryde 1st Grade in 19 years.
Why I play hockey for Ryde: I play because of the great people as well as the great coaching and development. The best of both.
Outside hockey I enjoy: I enjoy playing/watching Basketball and PlayStation
Name: John Cullen
Occupation: Self Employed – Kitchens & Bathrooms
Grade played for Ryde in 2014: 6th Grade (Premiers, have I shown you all my medallions?)
Position: The one that doesn’t need much running or Striker (Are they the same thing?)
Nickname/s: Dog, Doggy, Dogman
Hockey background: I started playing for Ryde at age 6.
The highlight of my career playing for Ryde: Playing 187 1st grade games – Playing 1’s while we were promoted to Premier League (way back) – Playing 1’s against Ken Wark (JNR just to clarify) What a fantastic opportunity I was given. – 500 club games, should I go on? OK, giving Banner’s a bath every time we played him, NSW Masters 40/1 National Champions, beating QLD in the final, and lastly, all the premierships and goals – did anybody get a video of any of them?
Why I play hockey for Ryde: If you know of any alternatives available to me, please let my manager know.
Outside hockey I enjoy: Making sand castles with Steve Dunn, a night on the arak with President Dawson, a great night out with my lovely wife.
Name: Richard Ellison
Occupation: Account Director, Managed Services & Service Management
Grade played for Ryde in 2014: Masters A
Position: Captain, Midfield
Nickname/s: NA
Hockey background: UK – County U21, Reading Hockey Club (National League Division 1 and London League) – played alongside 6 Olympians!, Ryde 3’s and 4’s from 2000 – 2009, Ryde Masters A’s 2008-2014
The highlight of my career playing for Ryde: Winning Maiden A Grade Masters 2014 (first time since tournament started in 1987)
Why I play hockey for Ryde: Initially, the water based Astroturf and recommendation from various players relocating from UK to Sydney. Now the people
Outside hockey I enjoy: Family (two daughters), Travel, Golf, Skiing, Wine, Property Renovations, Beach, Texas Holdem Poker