Aussies out for revenge
ONE of the fiercest rivalries in world sport will be renewed on the Gold Coast when the Trans-Tasman Masters Hockey Challenge kicks off today at Labrador hockey fields.
While the on-field battle will be fierce, Men’s 35+ Australian captain Peter Somers said that the countries leave their rivalry out on the pitch.
“It’s a friendly but intense rivalry,” he said.
“In Whangarei (where the last Trans-Tasman hockey challenge was held two years ago), we did a number of events with them off the field like dinner and playing golf on one occasion but once you get on the field it’s very competitive.”
The 38-year-old Brisbane native said that after playing hockey for 26 years, it was an honour to pull on the green and gold after making his masters World Cup debut last year.
“It’s a very proud moment and the culmination of a long time playing hockey,” he said.
“We have a lot of new players coming in who are really excited about their first representative tournament for Australia so it’s good to be part of that energy.”
Women’s 35+ co-captain Shannon Donald believes the Australians’ home ground advantage will hold them in good stead to claim back the tournament throne.
“I think it’s definitely going to do us a favour,” the 39-yearold said.
“It was very tough when we played them two years ago in this series in Whangarei and they beat us so we’re definitely looking forward to continuing
our run from last year and the World Cup into this tournament and hopefully beating them on home soil.”
After playing hockey since she was 10-years-old, Donald said she has cherished the opportunity to spend most of her life in the hockey sphere.
“I’ve loved being able to grow up and play alongside people and continue to play with and alongside them even though age isn’t any barrier,” she said.
Gold Coast talent who will be swapping their club colours for the green and gold this week include Craig Bigham, Aaron Grigg, Peter Keeble, Julie Ashton Lucy, Katrina Bayldon, Jo-Ann Bowman, Diane Fraser, Karen Iwanuscha, Susan Mott, Wendy Pearce, Jan Saul, Megan Ward and Ingrid Woods.
The opening ceremony kicks off today at 9.30am followed by the 55+ women’s and 60+ men’s Tests at 11.30am.