The story of Hannah Richardson’s stunning hockey career

The story of Hannah Richardson’s stunning hockey career

Hannah Richardson’s father was always her number one supporter, but after his sudden death the Tasmanian hockey star is now chasing one more goal in his honour. Adam Clifford shares the family’s story.

Sunday mornings smelled like tea and newsprint.

Hannah Richardson and her dad, Scott Calvert, would sit together at the kitchen table, scanning the Mercury newspaper for the hockey write-ups.

If her name appeared, he’d beam. If not, he’d still find something kind to say.

Seventeen seasons later, Richardson has played more Premier League games than many of her opponents have had training sessions — 320 matches and counting.

And still, she’s chasing the one thing that’s eluded her: a senior premiership.

The Canterbury Lion has been the heartbeat of her club for nearly two decades.

Her accolades are many — back-to-back league best-and-fairest awards (2015–16), state representation, a national under-21 title — but the trophy cabinet is missing its crown jewel.

“I’ve been dreaming of that Premier League trophy for such a long time,” Richardson said.

“We came close in 2009 against North-West Graduates but lost 1–0 in the final two minutes. It was heartbreaking.”

This season, the Lions have roared back to form: 11 wins, three draws, and just 21 goals conceded in 19 matches. For Richardson, the timing feels right.

“It would mean the world to finally achieve it this year and to win with my close friends and teammates before the body gives out,” she laughed.

If you’ve watched Richardson play, you’ve seen the tenacity. The laser focus. The refusal to back down. And in recent months, she’s needed every ounce of that strength.

Her father passed away suddenly in May, followed by her uncle earlier this month. The grandstand at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre feels louder now — not because of the crowd, but because of the silence where Scott used to sit.

“Our father had that competitive edge,” Grace Calvert, Hannah’s younger sister and premiership rival with North-West Graduates, said.

“Let’s just say white line fever runs in the family.”

After every match, Scott would check in, whether it was a chat, a text, a proud mention in the paper.

In the eulogy the sisters co-delivered, they described him as a constant source of strength, wisdom, and love.

He wasn’t just a supporter. Scott coached, managed, and played, even earning the nickname “the hit man” for his bruising and uncompromising attitude and style.

That same grit lives on in Hannah.

“She has Dad’s determination and resilience,” Grace said. “Just like him, she never backs down.”

Scott’s tragic passing came just weeks before he had planned to retire and hand over his business, Mobility4all, to new co-owners including Hannah and husband Marcus.

He had stayed on to support the transition, proud of the work and the difference it made in people’s lives.

During this tumultuous period, the super-mum to Olivia and Oscar played her role with Canterbury but is quick to credit her teammates efforts more so for this season’s rise.

“Our midfield has carried us, and Megan Cottee up front has given us that spark. She’s instinctive, she pulls the trigger, and that’s lifted everyone,” Richardson said of their English recruit’s impressive 12-goal season.

Canterbury teammate Blair Beard has watched Richardson’s commitment to the club and her teammates for nearly two decades.

“She’s played with broken fingers, a busted nose, even came back from a knee injury to win gold at the under-21 nationals and played in the grand final shortly after,” Beard said.

“This year’s been tough, but she keeps showing up. And come finals, we know we can lean on her experience.”

Grace may be chasing a title of her own with the league leaders, but beneath the rivalry is a deep sisterly bond.

They may have marked each other on the field, bruised each other’s shins, and stolen each other’s finals dreams, but when the final whistle blows, Grace would be the first to hug Hannah — win or lose.

“I know it would mean a great deal to Hannah to win a premiership with Canterbury,” Grace said.

“And if it had to be any team other than North-West Graduates, I’d suppose that would be okay.”

Richardson’s story is one of resilience, not just achievement and longevity. It’s been about showing up year after year, through injuries, setbacks, and heartbreak. It’s now about playing for something bigger than herself.

When she took the field just hours after her father’s funeral, it was Lions captain Maddy Curtis’ address in the team huddle that struck a chord.

“I was prepared for the hugs, the condolences, the black armbands,” Richardson recalled. “But what really got me was Maddy saying, ‘Let’s give it our all and be grateful we are here to play.’ It made me think of Dad.”

Over three hundred games. Seventeen seasons. One dream still alive.

And if she never lifts that trophy, Hannah Richardson will still have given everything, and that, her father would say, is enough.

Written by Adam Clifford for the Mercury