In September 2019 I was tempted into putting my name forward for consideration to be a manager for a Hockey Australia Masters Hockey team.

I know, I'm a Kiwi, but apparently that doesn't matter as in late September I was advised (sort of) that I had been appointed as Assistant Manager of the Australian 35's Men's Masters Hockey team to contest the 2020 Masters Hockey World Cup in Nottingham, England in August 2020.

The team is managed by Carolyn Campbell, a vastly experienced sports administrator with a long list of accolades including organising World Cups for both Hockey and Netball and coached by Barry Reid, a highly credentialed coach from the Illawarra. Led by Matthew Hotchkis (ACT), the team contains a mixture of experienced players and newcomers including several former Kookaburras. In 2018, the Australian 35's beat England 1-0 to claim the Gold Medal and are very keen to repeat the feat in 2020.

Preparations are well underway with accommodation already booked. The players are booking their travel while the management team explore uniform and merchandise opportunities.

I have opted to rejuvenate an old hockey website and dedicate it to the Australian team. You can follow our journey on this website: -

I guess I need to learn Advance Australia Fair and resist the temptation to break out the NZ national anthem while I am at the World Cup. Rest assured, this appointment does NOT mean I will be supporting the Wallabies any time soon!