Vale Sandy Pisani OAM
Published Tue 19 Apr 2022
VALE SANDY PISANI OAM
Hockey SA is deeply saddened by the passing of South Australian Hockey Legend, Sandy Pisani OAM.
Australian hockey legend Sandy Pisani has passed away in Adelaide aged 63.
The sporting stalwart, whose career spanned across dual Olympics, evolved from playing to coaching and a national team selector, died on 19 April 2022 at St Andrews Hospital.
Long term partner of more than 32 years, Mike Turtur and daughter, Elli who have managed this indescribable battle since Sandy’s diagnosis with cancer in December 2019, have issued the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to advise that our beautiful Sandy, has passed away early this morning , surrounded by her loving family.
Sandy has fought tirelessly and in true competitive spirit for more than two years until her very last breath.
She loved her family and friends with great passion and heart, fiercely loyal and feisty, compassionate and kind, we will cherish all of our special memories and times shared in our hearts forever.
We appreciate the love and support bestowed upon us by our family, close friends and both the hockey and cycling fraternity at this incredibly difficult time.
We ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of our partner, mother, sister, aunty, cousin, and friend to many.”
Sandy will be farewelled at a celebration of her life in the coming days.
No further public comment will be made by Mike Turtur at this time.
SPORTING SNAPSHOT: SANDY PISANI OAM
Sandy Pisani was a dual Olympian who represented Australia from 1981 to 1988 accruing 105 caps, Captaining the Australian women’s hockey team, the Hockeyroos, from 1985 to 1986. Her greatest moment came in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics, when she was a member of the Hockeyroos team that won Australia’s first ever Hockey Olympic Gold Medal.
After retiring in 1989 Sandy received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for Service to the Sport of Hockey. Sandy’s involvement continued as National Head Selector with Hockey Australia from 1993-2000 when the Hockeyroos won Gold Medals at the 1996 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Olympics.
A Life Member of Hockey South Australia, Sandy was also inducted into the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame in 2015.
An athlete, a coach, a team selector, a mentor to young hockey players, a sports administrator, a promotor, an event manager, but most of all, a loyal friend to many, taken too soon.
For further enquires please contact Michele D’Aloia on 0417 836 896.
