MOTTERAM, Richard

BORN 25 MARCH 1960 IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, son of Bob Motteram and brother to Pat, Michael, Chris, and figure skater Maureen. Chris married ice hockey player Russell Poste and Maureen married Stephen Black (Spike), brother of the national team goalie, Ron. Motteram's father grew up in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and served in the RAAF. Manager of the VIHA Pirates senior team, vice-president of the club in the 1970s, Bob coached the Flyers from the mid-70s, one of two in-house Under-16 teams at Iceland Ringwood in Melbourne. He played veteran hockey in the original Melbourne Nite Owls in 1973.

Richard progressed through the Victorian leagues just before the first player Development Council began. Representing Victoria, he played the Tange Under-16 tournament in 1974, winning the Brown Trophy in Queensland in 1978, coached by former NHL Philadelphia Flyer Mike Boland and Robbie Stevenson, with Doug Stevenson, John Ekberg and Terry Theobald.

The defenseman played 447 games in the Victorian leagues between 1977 and 2009 for the Tigers (80), Monarchs (30), Monarchs-Saints (173), Saints (54), Russell Athletic (46), Braves (22), and Marauders (42). Captain of the Saints-Monarchs in the late 80s, the most successful senior mens club in Victoria, Motteram was part of a Club dynasty, 1983 to 1996, producing 11 state premierships (Kleiner Cups) from 13 seasons, and every one a state record. However, the state did not win the interstate series over the period and, although Motteram represented his state, he never won a Goodall Cup.

He represented Australia in the 1986 IIHF C-Pool World Championships in Puigcerda, Spain, coached by Chuck Naish, then in 1989 in Sydney, Australia, coached by Dan Reynolds. He also represented his country in the Christmas Down Under tournament in 1988, a four-team international bicentennial ice hockey championship held at Canberra's Phillip Ice Rink between teams from Canada, the USA and Australia.

Motteram's brother Pat played 219 games for the Tigers (1979-80) and Monarchs (1982-92). Brother Michael played 117 games with the Pirates (1972-76) and the Tigers (1977-80). Sister Maureen Black is a long time volunteer for the state association and its president in 2021.

Richard Motteram was still active in the sport in 2021.