A TEAM from Hockey New England recently contested the Over Forties NSW Men’s Masters B Division Championships at Bathurst. The team performed exceptionally well, winning three out of four of their round matches, and then only narrowly losing a tight semi-final. Congratulations are due to James Abbo for his excellent play resulting in selection in the NSW number two side to contest the National Championships later in the year.
Over the next few months, HNE will be sending teams to each of the other age divisions in Men’s Masters, the next being the Over Fifties who will contest two grades in Grafton at the end of April.
At the end of July HNE will be hosting the Hockey New South Wales Women’s Masters Half-State Championships. It is anticipated that there will be some 70 teams visiting Armidale for the three days to contest a number of grades, and it is likely that HNE will field teams in at least five grades. Judging by previous performances, one can expect a good series of results and a number of players to gain selection in state teams.
Armidale Masters hockey was also recognised away from the playing field earlier in the year when, for the first time presentations were announced by HNSW to acknowledge contributions of both Women and Men’s Masters at the State Awards night.
Chair of the State Women’s body, Armidale’s own Jo Dolan, introduced these awards on behalf of all Masters players, describing the roles played by the older members within the hockey family in all aspects of the sport including coaching, administration, umpiring and maintaining facilities, as well as playing.
While neither of the awards this year came to Armidale, Keith Ellis was asked by board members to be patron of the Men’s Award for “Lifetime Contribution to Hockey”. In accepting, Keith asked that recognition go to both his club (Ex-Services) and the HNE Association for continuing to provide opportunities for older members like himself to continue participating in the wonderful sport.
