Cambridge Legends reunite for Masters
‘‘We were actually still pretty competitive and won four League Championships and several Cup Competitions since 2007.’’
The Cambridge Legends have reunited for their third New Zealand Masters Games.
The football team, made up of men over the age of 35, competed at the event in Whanganui from February 3 to 12.
Speaking just before the event, Cambridge Legends player Tony McIsaac said most of his team lived in Cambridge, but had a few special guests from Hamilton, Queenstown and England.
‘‘Most of us began our love affair with the game as four and five year olds and have played ever since,’’ he said.
‘‘The Cambridge Legends was founded in 2007 and established by a group of well decorated football players, who had retired from serious competition but wished to carry on playing at a more social level.’’
He said his favourite aspect of the sport was the people and banter involved.
‘‘Football is a simple game, with few rules and every player in every position gets involved.’’
Three years ago the team played to the Over 35s Quarter Finals at the NZ Masters Games.
Up until last year, they have played regularly in the Winter Senior Football Competition, Wai- kato/Bay of Plenty A Division.
‘‘In the Waikato there is no Over 35s or Over 45s competition so we were playing mostly against players in their 20s,’’ McIsaac said.
‘‘We were actually still pretty competitive and won four League Championships and several Cup Competitions since 2007.
‘‘In 2016 we all retired on mass and now we have the Cambridge Legends Golf, Darts, Five-A-Side and Waterski Club which involves weekly get-togethers and fierce, high stakes competition followed by intense hydration.’’
He said their expectations at the games were sore heads, aching stomach muscles from laughter and no sleep.
‘‘Our expectations are low as football is concerned, but every dog has their day and we might just spring a surprise or two,’’ he said.
‘‘We would absolutely recommend the Masters Games, especially the team sports with a group of mates.
‘‘You are a long time sitting on the couch watching sport on TV, so if you are still able, then why not?’’