Great Britain recently played host to the world’s elite hockey players at the Olympic Games. For the last 10 days just up the road from London, the city of Oxford is playing host to an entirely different group of hockey players at the Grand Masters Hockey World Cup.
The event is for hockey players representing a wide array of nations that are aged 60 years and over (split into age categories of Grand Masters - Over 60; Great Grand Masters - Over 65 and Senior Grand Masters - Over 70) and is organized through the World Grand Masters Association (WGMA) It is held every two years and every fourth year the aim is to hold it in the same country as the Olympic Games. This year, the Oxford Hawks Hockey Club of Oxford is hosting the event.
During the same ten days the inaugural Masters Hockey World Cup for women Over 35, Over 40, Over 45 and Over 50 and Men Over 40, Over 45, Over 50 and Over 55 will be held at Polo Farm, Canterbury.
Teams have come from as far away as Japan, South Africa and even New Zealand to take part in this massive hockey tournament. The event started last weekend and spans over 10 days with the final games taking place tomorrow.
The tournament is proof that great hockey can be played at all abilities and age levels and that the desire for international competitions spans beyond athletes in the prime of their careers.
For more information about the this year’s Grand Masters Hockey World Cup, visit the official website.
