Maurice “Moz” Davoli awarded Life Membership by President Erica Brodie
The La Trobe University Hockey Club was pleased to award Maurice Davoli with Life Membership at the 2014 Presentation Night. Known to most simply as “Moz”, he becomes the 17th person to receive this prestigious title in the Club’s 47 years of history.
Moz is one of only a few members with more than 30 years at the La Trobe University Hockey Club. Starting in 1983, 2014 marked his 31st year of continuous membership.
First making his mark in only his third year, Moz volunteered for the position of Treasurer, establishing the Club on firm financial footing following a number of troubled years. He would go on to step up to this position another four times over the next decade and a half, in 1987, 1996, 1997 and 1998. This work in securing the Club’s future played a key role in him receiving the prestigious Clubman of the Year Award in 1985. He would also go on to work on a number of subcommittees, including the Junior Carnival Committee and the 20 Year Anniversary Committee.
Moz’s impact on the field also cannot be overlooked. Picking up the Men’s 1s Pullar Shield for Best & Fairest in 1986 he would continue to play a leadership role as the Men’s Club Coach for three seasons in the early 90s. He was a founding member of the Men’s first Masters team in 2003, and would infamously score the winning goal in the 2014 Grand Final against Yarra Valley with a back stick potshot that he called a “tomma”.
In 2013 he was recognised by La Trobe University with an Outstanding Service Award for the many reasons listed above.
Life Member Craig Cameron recalls, “Maurice is one of the cleanest strikers of a hockey ball in the Club’s history and he spent his early days running the wings and centre forward positions. He would likely be in the Club’s top ten goal scorers of all time.”
“Later on he can be found as a running inside midfielder and it has been his commanding presence in and around many teams that sees him in leadership roles. He is just one of those guys that takes responsibility. Club coach. Club Treasurer over many years. Whatever the role both on and off the field Maurice has taken it up.”
“He has always been one of those club people that is there lending a hand sitting on a committee, driving people home, pitching tents and counting the money.”
“He, like Tim Lonergan [also awarded Life Membership on the night] has made many life long friendships from his time at the club and he has never asked or expected anything in return.”
Moz, pictured with fellow Life Members at the 2014 Presentation Night.
Life Member Ross Erickson said, “Maurice has been an inspiration to generations of club members who stand in awe of his back stick goals (long before the ‘tomma’ became popular), man of many interests (some inspirational to us all) and a great host.”
“He has always stood up and volunteered when the club was in need. I also forgot to mention that he is the most stylish member of the club.”
The La Trobe University Hockey Club would like to congratulates Moz Davoli for a lifetime of outstanding commitment and dedication to the Club.
Moz joins the esteemed list of La Trobe University Hockey Club Life Members.