SYDNEY, Australia – The Australian and global hockey community is mourning the loss of a true pioneer of the sport. Kym Ireland, a former Hockeyroos goalkeeper and Olympian, has passed away after a courageous battle with illness.
An Olympic Trailblazer
Ireland’s legacy is cemented in hockey history as a key member of the first-ever Australian women’s hockey team to compete at the Olympic Games.
She played as the goalkeeper for the Hockeyroos at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, helping to introduce the world to the formidable talent of Australian women’s hockey.
A Hallmark Career
Ireland was remembered by Hockey Australia for her stellar performances, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Her pioneering international career during a foundational era helped shape the future of the women’s game in Australia, paving the way for the Hockeyroos’ global dominance in the decades that followed.
Her passing leaves a profound sense of loss within the sport, but her contributions as an athlete and a role model continue to inspire.