Between 29 March and 6 April, the Australian capital city of Canberra will play host to the third Hockey Masters World Cup, an event that will see more than 50 teams representing nations from across the globe fighting for numerous titles on offer.
The nine-day tournament – which will be played at Canberra’s National Hockey Centre thanks to a partnership between Hockey Australia, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government and Hockey ACT – will feature men’s and women’s teams in the Over 40, Over 45, Over 50 and Over 55 age groups, with the women’s Over 60’s Grand Masters competition also taking place.
Australia is one of the world’s most successful nations when it comes to Masters hockey, enjoying a number of outstanding accomplishments in recent years. At the Masters World Cup in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 2014, Australia’s women took home gold in the Over 40 and Over 60 age groups, and silver in the Over 50's. Australia’s men also enjoyed considerable success, winning gold in the Over 40 and Over 45 age groups, and bronze in the Over 50 and Over 55 competitions.
In Canberra, the home favourites will be competing in all nine of the age group tournaments, but are sure to face strong challenges from nations such as England, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Malaysia, Canada, Ghana and many others.
When players, coaches and family members are taken into consideration, around 2,000 people are expected to travel to Canberra for this event, making it one of the largest international hockey tournaments in the world.
It will not be the only major Masters event on Australian soil this year either, with the men’s Grand Masters World Cup – for players aged 60 and over - taking place between 2-13 May in Newcastle, New South Wales.
The sheer scale of the Canberra event is a clear indicator that the popularity of Masters hockey continues to go from strength to strength, perfectly in line with 'Big Goal' four of International Hockey Federation's (FIH) Hockey Revolution strategy - to generate millions more followers around the world from all ages and backgrounds.
The organisers have even created official event merchandise which includes everything from branded T-shirts, jackets and shorts to sports towels and commemorative key rings, all of which will be available to purchase on site for the players and fans.
The event is organised by the International Masters Hockey Association (IMHA), which was formed in 2007 to administer and promote field hockey for 35 to 60-year-old men and women at an international level.
Just one year later, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the IMHA and the FIH, formally recognising the Association as the official body for masters hockey covering this age range. The first Masters World Cup took place in Canterbury, England in 2012 before Rotterdam hosted the 2014 edition.
Looking ahead to the event, FIH President Negre said: “Events like the Masters Hockey World Cup play a hugely important role in the development of our sport. They provide yet another example of the inclusivity of hockey - the athletes represented are an example of how this is a lifelong sport, open to players of all ages and from all sorts of backgrounds. I’m sure that everyone involved will enjoy great camaraderie over the two weeks of competition as they rekindle old friendships and make new ones.”
More details about the Masters Hockey World Cup event in Canberra can be found at the links below.
Official Masters Hockey World Cup website – click here
Hockey Australia Masters World Cup webpage – click here
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