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Published Fri 11 Feb 2022

The Hockey Australia Masters Committee (HAMC) has announced that five men’s teams of various age categories will represent Australia at the next Masters Hockey World Cup.

Following the call for nominations of players and team officials in preparation for the upcoming Masters World Cups, the HAMC advises teams will be selected in the following age groups to participate at the showpiece tournaments:

  • Over 40 Men (Nottingham, UK)
  • Over 60 Men (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Over 65 Men (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Over 70 Men (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Over 75 Men (Tokyo, Japan)

The tournament for the Over 40 Men will take place from 12-21 August 2022 in Nottingham, England. The other four age categories to compete for Australia (Over 60, 65, 70, 75 Men) will compete in Tokyo, Japan from 19-29 October 2022.

“It is an honour to represent Australia, and HAMC wanted to provide this opportunity to as many participants as possible,” said HAMC Chair, Sue Briggs.

“HAMC reviewed the number of nominations received in each age group to confirm which teams may be selected.”

“The decision to select or not select teams was carefully considered and involved robust discussions.”

“Unfortunately insufficient nominations were received to support team selection in any of the Women’s age groups and in Men’s 35s, 45s, 50s, and 55s.”

A refund of nomination fees will be made to those players now ineligible for selection.

Players selections for each of the five teams will be based on the criteria shared by HAMC and the information players provided with their nomination form, which includes performance at this month’s Invitational Event and/or a range of assessment criteria.

While the teams and age groups have been identified, Briggs said it was important to emphasise the chance that the events may not go ahead.

“While we have announced which Australian teams will take part, all players and officials need to be aware there is no certainty of participation,” said Briggs.

“The viability of the teams travelling to their respective World Cups may be affected by risk assessments undertaken by Hockey Australia, the possibility of changing conditions due to COVID in the locations hosting the events and any decisions made by World Masters Hockey in proceeding with any of the given events.”

With the Masters Invitational Events being held later this month and in March, Briggs said it was great for Masters players to be able to come back together to play at a national level after such a long hiatus due to COVID.

“On behalf of HAMC, I wish all players participating in the Invitational Events an enjoyable ‘back to hockey’ experience,” said Briggs.

“We wish the players who are now eligible for selection for Australian teams a successful tournament and thank those who have taken the time to commit to participate in World Cups and lodge their nominations with HAMC.”

It is expected the teams for the five competing men’s age groups will be announced no later than 31 March 2022.

For those who would like more information, the selection protocol in this Covid year when not everyone can travel to the Masters Invitational Events, can be viewed here.  The previous existing Men’s Selection policy can be viewed here.

 

As stated in the announcement, travel for the selected Australian teams, may still be affected by risk assessments by Hockey Australia or changing conditions related to travel and World Cup venues. 

 

We look forward to the Men’s and Women’s Masters Invitational Events in February and March, and to running successful National Championships at the Gold Coast (Men) and Cairns (Women) later this year.

 

Thank you for your continued support of masters hockey.

Kind regards

DATE CHANGE:  Bought forward 1 week to not clash with the start of the season.  Now 25 March (pm) to Sunday 27 March 2022.

 

To all WACMHA members, affiliated associations and clubs:
This is an invitation to enter a team or nominate as an individual player for the 2022 Pre-Season Carnival. The carnival will be held at the Bunbury Hockey Stadium between Friday 1 April (pm) and Sunday 3 April 2022.

There will be 2 divisions: Over 34s and Over 55s.
 
The concept is to get as many Masters players as possible together to compete in a preseason carnival. Please send this invitation to all who may be interested in helping to make this event a success.

Teams can be association based, club based, or a team organised between a group of friends looking at the fellowship that Masters hockey offers.

For players nominating as an individual: the organising committee will place you into a team prior to the start of the carnival.

To enter a team or nominate as an individual player, go to the 2022 Pre-Season Carnival Nomination Form page on the WAC website.

 
As well as being a high-quality warm-up for the winter season, the carnival will be an integral part of the selection process for the WACMHA teams participating in the National Masters Championships to be held at the Gold Coast from the 24 September to 8 October. (Nomination forms for the national carnival can be viewed on the WACMHA website)
 
The pre-season carnival will be run as a Covid Safe event. To protect all players and supporters, government requirements will be followed.


Mike Jenkins

President, WA Country Masters Hockey Association