It has been 9 months since the selection for the Australian Veterans teams were announced at the last Australian Championships but the time for the actual Tournament is finally approaching.Every other year, 4 teams are selected at the Australian Womens Veterans Hockey Championship to play in the Trans Tasman Championships against New Zealand. These teams are age based with over 35, 40, 45 and 50 teams selected. In the alternate years they usually only have one or 2 teams - 35s and 45s. In 2003, I was selected as a shadow player (backup) for the 50s but did not get the call. (Nobody pulled out).
In 2005, I again nominated but wasn't selected. I was a bit disappointed as I thought I'd had a good tournament.
In 2007, I almost didn't nominate since I would be 55 by the time the tournament was played and thought I wouldn't have much chance against the younger players. When they announced the teams they had already called 3 players from WA, including 2 strikers, so I was both pleased and surprised to hear my name called at the end. I think 4 WA players in one Australian Vets team is quite rare and especially when 3 are strikers.
This time the tournament is in New Zealand, at Hamilton on the North Island. It alternates between Australia and NZ so it will be 4 years till the next NZ trip. I expect I'll definitely be too old for that,unless they have introduced a 55s team by then.
There have been a number of emails over the intervening 9 months from the Coach and manager and between the players but it is too long a period to remain constantly excited. You sort of put it on the back burner and get on with the rest of your life. Of course there were a number of steps on the way with travel booking, measuring yourself for the uniform and so one and of course numerous invoices to pay for those things.
However there is less than 3 weeks left at the time of writing and the uniform was delivered 2 days ago.I spent time that evening trying everything on and with the aid of my tripod and time delay got a range of pictures. The best thing was everything fitted, although the dress shirt and track suit pants are a bit tight. Considering that it was self measured from a printed chart this was no small achievement. In addition the actual pieces are really nice and the colouring quite flattering.
The tournament itself runs for a week with arrival on 10th May followed by 3 days of practice and training. Although we will no doubt recognise our team mates from playing against each other in our respective state teams we have yet to play or even train as a unit. The tyranny of distance makes that impossible until we all arrive at the venue. This is then followed by games on Wednesday and Thursday with the final on Saturday.
On Sunday we get driven back to Auckland airport and many players will be leaving. However since I've never been to NZ before I am staying an extra week to at least see some of the North Island. It has been hard to organise anything specific, although I know a couple of players who are staying a few extra days. Hopefully, with 4 women's and 4 men's teams there will be somebody who is staying one and wants to share car hire expenses. Otherwise I'll do it on my own.
