Recently in the Oceania Region the premier International masters hockey event was held at the Harbour Hockey Centre , Auckland, from May 8th – 12th. The Trans-Tasman Challenge is a biennial tournament contested between New Zealand and Australia. It was an event that had a bit of everything, absolute competitive rivalry, rekindling of past friendships made during previous encounters, sharing a yarn about the good old days, and a social drink or two to make the event all the better.
Trans Tasman rivalry is a great motivator even if you age somewhere between 35 to over 60. Putting on your country’s uniform gives priority to any part of your body that yields pain. The ANZAC alliance is laid aside as Australia and New Zealand did battle. “Because of the Trans-Tasman rivalry and the competitive nature of this tournament, there are some really close games, it is always a fantastic event. It gives those playing Masters the chance to compete internationally and test themselves in their respective age-group, which is great,” says Masters Council administrator Graham Jackson. Three tests were played by each of the ten men’s and women’s age divisions – M40+, M45+, M50+, M55+, M60+, W35+, W40+, W45+, W50+, W55+ – over the course of the week. A new division in 2013, Women’s 60+, had its own separate competition running simultaneously with the TTC. This year, New Zealand had in their ranks two former Black Sticks playing – Richard Redfearn (1992) and Paula Enoka (2001-2003).
Despite the rain which tried its best to dampen the event it was hailed as a memorable event by all. Overall Australia won 8 of the 11 grades with NZ winning only the 35 Women, 55 Women and 40 Men. Go Hockey News cornered one of New Zealand’s young bloods and newest masters representative to give us his take on his first International masters hockey event. Eddy as his affectionately known in New Zealand hockey circles gave us his summary of his first time experience;
“I had a blast. The NZ 40’s Men won their series 2-1, the first time we have beaten Australia in that grade in the Trans-Tasman Series. The first two matches were heavily affected by rain with the pitch well flooded in both games. We won 3-1 and 2-0 and celebrated pretty hard on Thursday night with the gold medal already in the bag. Saturday was a bit of a struggle and we went down 2-1 after having 7 penalty corners in the last few minutes and not putting any away.
I loved being part of it. Firstly being part of the NZ 40 Men’s team and playing with guys I remember from U13’s right through to having some real battles with the Aussies on the field and a few cold brews with them off it. I would love to go back and play in Australia in 2015 if I was picked. Would be great to try and defend the trophy in Australia. I thought the standard of play was really good. Plenty of skill and vision and very good basics – something you would expect from masters players who have played the game to a high level”.
It is any wonder that Masters hockey is growing rapidly globally. With premier events like the Trans Tasman challenge and the IMHA World Cup hockey should see more players continue to play hockey into their later life and for those who have retired at an early age come back to hockey. The incentive and challenge to represent one’s country can appeal to any hockey player now no matter how old they are.
For those of us who take an interest in the historical development of international events the following is a synopsis of the Masters Trans Tasmans history which is courtesy of Josh Givoni, Hockey Australia News. Then following this is a results round up the 2013 Masters Trans Tasman Challenge.
Venue
In 1997, recognising the need for an International competition for Australian Women’s Veterans teams, Jeanette Slade OAM and Caroline Wood representing the then Women’s Hockey Australia Association, were instrumental in negotiations with New Zealand in establishing an event between the 2 countries.
The Trans Tasman Masters Challenge was established as a bi-annual 3 test series and began in May 2000. The first event was held in Auckland at North Harbour with 6 teams, consisting of a Women’s team from each Nation competing in 35’s, 40’s and 45’s age groups.
In Brisbane 2002 the event expanded to 12 teams with the inclusion of 50’s Women and 45’s and 55’s Men’s age groups. In 2004 the Challenge continued with 12 teams competing in Wellington NZ. In 2006 in Hobart there was further expansion to 16 teams with the inclusion of a Men’s 40’s and 50’s division. In 2008 in Hamilton NZ the competition remained with 16 teams across the 8 age divisions and in 2010 in Newcastle a Women’s 55’s division was included with a total of 18 teams contesting the event.
After the 2010 challenge in Newcastle the scheduling of the event was changed to the ‘odd year’ sequence to avoid clashes with potential IMHA events. In 2013 we return to North Harbour, Auckland with the inclusion of a Men’s 60’s division totally 20 teams into the challenge. The Women’s 60’s age group will play an Invitational tri-series that will run in conjunction with the Trans Tasman event. The same rules will apply however results will not be included in the overall country championship. Inclusion of the 60’s women in the 2015 or future challenges will be considered by the Masters Councils of both nations.
Previous Results for the last two series
2010 – Newcastle, Australia
Women Winners Men Winners
35’s New Zealand
40’s Australia 40’s Australia
45’s New Zealand 45’s Australia
50’s Australia 50’s New Zealand
55’s Australia 55’s Australia
Overall Championship Winner – Australia
2008 – Hamilton, NZ
Women Winners Men Winners
35’s Australia
40’s New Zealand 40’s Australia
45’s New Zealand 45’s Australia
50’s Australia 50’s New Zealand
55’s Australia
Since the year 2000 New Zealand have the series twice, which does not seem much unless you take into account the current masters player participation statistics which weighted more heavily to Australia.
2013 Trans Tasman Masters Challenge Results
RESULTS FROM 8 MAY
55+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-2. Half time: 0-1 (New Zealand lead)
NZ goal scorers: Brett Smith, Alan Withrington
Australia goal scorers: John Campbell x2
50+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 to Australia. Half time: 1-0 (Australia lead)
Australia goal scorers: Andrea Snow
40+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 0-0
50+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 to New Zealand. Half time: 0-0
NZ goal scorers: Gary Rouse
40+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 3-1 to New Zealand. Half time: 3-1 (New Zealand lead)
NZ goal scorers: Gary Bishop, Alan Bunning,Richard Redfearn
Australia goal scorers: Lester Lawless
60+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 Australia. Half time: 0-0
Australia goal scorers: Peter Sweeney
RESULTS FROM 9 MAY
45+Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 5-1 to Australia. Half time: 1-1
NZ goal scorers: Peter van Riele.
Aus goal scorers: Andre Cabral x2, Michael Starling, Alan Dick, Gregory van Meeuwen.
50+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-1. Half time: 1-0 to Australia
NZ goal scorer: Pete Nicoll
Australia goal scorer: Anthony Jones
40+ Men NZ vs Australia (Midday)
Full time: 2-0 to New Zealand. Half time: 1-0 (New Zealand lead)
NZ goal scorers: Darryl Cochrane, Richard Redfearn.
55+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-1 to Australia. Half time: 0-0
NZ goal scorer: Dennis Drake
Australia goal scorer: Gregory Johnson, John Campbell
60+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-1. Half time: 1-1
NZ goal scorer: Merv Huxford
Aus goal scorer: Dale Thompson
35+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-0 to Australia. Half time: 2-0 Australia lead.
Australia goal scorers: Nanette Latta, Sheridan Gorman.
40+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 to New Zealand. Half time: 0-0
NZ goal scorer: Kirsten Spencer
45+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 to Australia. Half time: 1-0 Australia lead.
Australia goal scorer: Sue Henare
50+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 to New Zealand. Half time: 1-0 NZ lead.
NZ goal scorer: Lynne Jamieson
55+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 3-1 to New Zealand. Half time: 0-1 New Zealand lead.
Australia goal scorer: Jane Slater
New Zealand goal scorers: Robin Kavanagh, Raewyn Ritchie x2
60+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-0 to Australia. Half time: 1-0 Australia lead.
Australia goal scorer: Jan Galloway
RESULTS FROM 10 MAY
60+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 0-0
55+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 3-2 to New Zealand. Half time: 0-1
New Zealand goal scorers: Sheryl Duffy, Di Jordan, Ali Davis
Australia goal scorers: Kris Tulloch (2)
45+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-1 to New Zealand. Half time: 1-1
New Zealand goal scorers: Paula Attril, Gail Donaldson
Australia goal scorers: Lyn Grulke
45+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-1 to New Zealand. Half time: 2-1 to NZ
New Zealand goal scorers: Grant Boyde, Mike Rakowitz
Australia goal scorers: Kevin Adle
35+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-1. Half time: 1-1
New Zealand goal scorers: Michelle Walker
Australia goal scorers: Nanette Latta
RESULTS FROM 11 MAY
40+Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-1 to Australia. Half time 1-0 (New Zealand lead)
NZ goal scorer: Jamie Brown
Australia goal scorers: Allan Colthart, Craig Emslie
45+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 0-0
Overall winner: Australia
50+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 3-2 to Australia. Half time: 2-1 (New Zealand lead)
Penalty shoot out: 6-3 to Australia.
NZ goal scorers: Dennis Fraser, Phil Teague
Australia goal scorers: Philip Shaw x2, Peter Outtrim
55+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 4-2 to Australia. Half time: 2-1 (Australia lead)
NZ goal scorers: Ian Smith x2
Australia goal scorers: John Campbell, Paul Murray, Graham Miller, Gregory Johnson.
Overall winner: Australia
60+ Men NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-2. Half time: 1-0 (NZ lead)
NZ goal scorers: Dick Pettet, Tony Smiler.
Australia goal scorers: Bruce Snape, Noel French
Overall winner: Australia
35+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 3-1 to New Zealand. Half time: 2-0 (NZ lead)
Paula Enoka scored a golden goal in extra time.
NZ goal scorers: Joanne Rhodes, Robyn Harrison, Kelly Rowlingson.
Australia goal scorers: Sally Walker
Overall winner: New Zealand
40+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 3-1 to Australia. Half time: 2-1 (Australia lead)
NZ goal scorer: Tracy Edmonds
Australia goal scorers: Anita Scott, Samantha Rankin, Amanda Wilkinson
Overall winner: Australia
45+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-1. Half time: 1-0 (Australia lead)
Penalty shoot out: 3-1 to Australia.
NZ goal scorer: Sharon Harding
Australia goal scorer: Cyndy Slade
Overall winner: Australia
50+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-1. Half time: 1-0 (Australia lead)
Penalty shoot out: 4-3 to Australia
NZ goal scorer: Lynne Jamieson
Australia goal scorer: Fiona Young
Overall winner: Australia
55+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 1-1. Half time: 1-0 (New Zealand lead)
NZ goal scorer:Robin Kavanagh
Australia goal scorer: Kris Tulloch
Overall winner: New Zealand
60+ Women NZ vs Australia
Full time: 2-0 to Australia. Half time: 1-0 (Australia lead)
Australia goal scorer: Karen Allan, Jennifer Grey
Overall winner: Australia
