HUNDREDS of hockey players from close to 20 countries will converge in Newcastle during the next week for the Grand Masters Hockey World Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 11-day tournament kicked off at the International Hockey Centre on Tuesday, seeing 42 teams in the 60, 65 and 70 years’ age groups begin their world cup campaign.
Peter Sweeney, national coordinator of Australian Masters Hockey and captain of Australia's over 65 team, said it was his dream to see the event hosted in Newcastle.
“Newcastle has all the attributes needed to hold a major sporting event,” he said.
“We have three international quality surfaces here and Newcastle’s infrastructure lends itself to tourism: the airport, the affordable accommodation, ease of getting around.”
Spectators can watch games at the Broadmeadow centre for free.
Sweeney said the world cup was a rare opportunity for people to see world-class hockey in their home city.
“Japan is bringing 10 former international players,” Sweeney said. “They’ve all played at the elite level. Australia’s over 75 team, who are playing in the over 70 competition, is captained by John McBryde.”
McBryde captained Australia’s hockey team to their first Olympic medal, a bronze, in Tokyo in 1964.
Australia is expected to do well in all divisions of the 2016 Grand Masters World Cup.
At the 2014 world cup held in the Netherlands, Australia took home gold in the over 60 and over 75 competitions, and silver in the over 65 age group.
Leandro Negre, president of the International Hockey Federation, will visit Newcastle during the tournament.
He said events like the Grand Masters Hockey World Cup played an important role in the development of the sport.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
For more information about the event go to wgmaworldcup2016.com.