Dream trip to watch tourney
CHB couple Ian and Pam Waldrom recently returned from a dream trip to Spain where they watched their two sons play in the World Masters Hockey tournament.
The couple’s sons, Tony and Steven, represented New Zealand and England respectively at the tournament, which was hosted by Club Egara and featured 135 teams from 25 countries.
Ian said son Tony, who lives on the North Shore, represented New Zealand in the 40+ age group while Steven, who lives on Guernsey in the Channel Islands with his wife, represented England in the 35+ age group.
“It was probably a once in a lifetime experience to watch both the boys play in this tournament, but it goes to show you are never too old,” said Ian.
Both boys started playing hockey for Waipawa Primary at Russell Park on Saturday mornings, he said, and then rose through the ranks, representing CHB at national junior Hatch Cup tournaments and then CHB College, before progressing to HB age group sides and then different teams in the national hockey league.
“It looks like hockey may be in the genes as both Tony’s school-age daughters are currently playing hockey and Steven’s two preschool children are showing an interest. With the building of the multi-purpose complex in Waipukurau it may encourage more children to pick up a stick and give hockey a go and perhaps some former players to come out of retirement and play for Central,” Ian said.