The surname – Dearing is a synonymous name that is known in hockey circles across different age generations. One of the great attributes of hockey as a sport is witnessing a father and son or a mother and a daughter playing in a game together and secondly when both parent and child achieve representative milestones. This is the case with Paul, the father, and Stewart Dearing, one of his children. Both are Newcastle hockey legends who have both represented their country at the highest of playing levels and have both put back into the game immeasurable time and effort.
It was with great regret that Paul passed away recently at age 73 but his hockey legacy continues to be passed down through his children and their children again. Especially in the case of Stewart, who followed his father’s footsteps firstly as a goalkeeper, coach, and a highly respected umpire. It is this writer’s view that Paul is one of the all time great goalkeepers Australia has produced. Paul was a three-time Olympian, a member of the Hockey Australia hall of fame and an icon of Newcastle sport. His three stints were in Tokyo (1964), Mexico City (1968), and Munich (1972). He walked away with a Bronze medal from Tokyo and in Munich he was named in the World XI as goalkeeper. Dearing wore the Australian colours 69 times between 1963 and 1972. If he was playing today for his country his Australian representative games would be possibly 200 and above.
He came from an era where modern day goalie protection was not available. ‘‘When dad played his Olympic hockey, he wore cricket pads, some kickers, a protector, cricket gloves and a baggy green hat. No face guard, no chest pad, nothing like that” his son Steve said.
This writer had the privilege of playing against Paul at a senior Australian Hockey Championships and I will never forget watching as one of our players had a relative hard shot at the goal which Paul first time intentionally kicked back to his right wing on the half way line. Talk about a freakish counter attack. A similar example was given in a recent newspaper article, i.e.,
‘‘Paul had this amazing ability to have total control and calmness in what he did,’’ former teammate and long-time friend Bob Stuart said. ‘‘The ball would whistle past my ears. I’d look around and see it headed straight for Paul’s forehead. Paul would put his hand up, drop it still and half-volley the ball to halfway. He was an outstanding player.’’
Stewart Dearing also became a regular in the Australian team (1990-94 – 26 games) and an FIH Level 1 international umpire, ‘‘we didn’t have much choice what sport we were going to play,’’ Steve said. ‘‘Dad met Mum at a hockey field and we all played (this again testifies to marketing potential of our sport). One of the greatest experiences I had was taking his silver medal from the Munich Olympics for show and tell at Carrington Primary. Dad’s Olympic medals are on display in the Newcastle museum.’’
Paul Dearing is survived by wife Maureen and children Steve, Stewart and Sonya.
Source: various
