Death: Olympian and former Hockeyroos captain Sandy Pisani Has Died in Adelaide – Sandy Pisani, an Olympian, and former Australian women’s hockey captain died at the age of 63. Pisani died at St Andrew’s Hospital in Adelaide yesterday, a little over two years after being diagnosed with cancer, according to Hockey SA. From 1985 to 1986, Pisani led the national Hockeyroos squad as captain.
According to abc.net.au, She was a member of the team that won Australia’s first Olympic gold medal in hockey in 1988. Pisani served as Hockey Australia’s national chief selector from 1993 to 2000, during which time the Hockeyroos won two additional Olympic gold medals.
In 2015, she was inducted into the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contributions to the sport of hockey. Pisani’s partner, former Olympic gold medalist Mike Turtur, and daughter Elli released a statement claiming she died “surrounded by her beloved family.”
“Until her very last breath, Sandy fought tirelessly and in true competitive spirit for more than two years,” according to the statement. “She was passionately loyal and feisty, sensitive and kind to her family and friends, and we will remember all of our unique memories and times shared in our hearts forever.”
