Veterans Over 60s Hockey - History

Over 60s (Grand Masters) Hockey started in the Netherlands back in 1988 and 1989, when the NHC “De Zestigplussers” was founded. In the early 90s, a couple of international matches were played on an informal basis between The Netherlands, Belgians and French as a result of old friendships through Hockey.

In February 1995, a tournament for teams with players of an age above 60 was held in Lille, France. Players from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and England participated. At this Tournament it was suggested that England should formally organise their team, and as a result England LX was founded.

Later, in 2002, Doug Morrice and his men organised themselves into Scotland LX, and Italy took part for the first time in the World Cup tournament in
Athens in 2004. Alliance, a team of various nationalities, was also founded, and is now an invaluable member of Grand Masters events.

Meanwhile in Australia the Veterans Hockey movement was being developed rapidly with all States and Territories within the Commonwealth of Australia playing in an annual Tournament in various age divisions. Since then there has been a frequent exchange of Veteran Teams between Europe and Australia, and a Japanese team visited The Netherlands to play (2005).

The Over 60s Hockey was thus maturing very fast, and the need to become organised became clear after the World Cup in 1998 in Utrecht/Bussum. This was discussed between the various representatives during the Tournament in Darwin(Australia). It was agreed to hold a meeting of delegates in Kuala Lumpur at the 2002 Grand Masters World Cup, resulting in the formation of the World Grand Masters Association, with Ted Jones (Australia) being appointed as the Hon. Secretary.

In 2003, in preparation of the post-Olympic Grand Masters World Cup tournament in Athens in 2004, a 'Task Force' was set up combining the experience of Bernard Verbunt, Peter Child, Doug Morrice and Bob Clark to assist the Greek Org. Committee ( Jorgos Dramitinos) in bringing about this big event. During this tournament, an official WGMA meeting was held between delegates from the member countries, at which Peter Child was elected as the first President of WGMA.

A strategic plan was developed between the members of the WGMA Executive Board aiming to provide a structure for Veterans over 60s Hockey in the world. It was decided to seek recognition of WGMA by FIH which would enable them to develop, assist and promote Veterans Hockey in age categories over 60s, 65s and later over 70s. Incidentally, the first official match in over 70s hockey took place at HC. Rotterdam on April 6, 2006 between England and De Zestigplussers.

In early June, 2006 the European Super Vets. Challenge took place in Bra H.C. Italy and in September 2006 the Grand Masters World Cup in Leverkusen, Germany parallel to the main World Cup tournament in Mönchengladbach. 12 teams participated in Over 60s, and 8 teams in the over 65s in a mixture of national and Tournament trophy events.

At the official WGMA meeting in Leverkusen, Ted Jones retired as Hon.Secretary, and he was duly made Honorary Life Member of WGMA for his excellent contribution to Veterans hockey over many years.

On 9th November 2006, the Executive Committee of the FIH at their Annual Congress in London formally agreed to recognise the WGMA as the sole body responsible for Grand Masters 60+ Veterans hockey in the World (see below extract from FIH Highlights 2005/6 magazine). A major achievement, and an acknowledgement of the importance of Veterans hockey.

The work goes on - after the 1st GM Hockey European Cup was organised in Canterbury, England in June 2007, the 8th European Super Vets tournament  took place in Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain during Easter 2008.

The next GM World Cup tournament is currently in the planning stage for Hong Kong, China in September 2008 (see separate article).

The current membership of WGMA is : England (incl.England LX), The Netherlands, Germany, Scotland, France, Italy, Wales, Australia, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Africa and Alliance. We hope that further Nations or groups will show interest in joining us in the future.

A great number of Grand Masters players have had fifty years or more playing hockey, making their contribution to hockey at all levels, and the majority wish to continue playing. WGMA have ensured the FIH that they  will continue promoting and organising all main International Events for the Grand Masters age groups.

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Below is an extract from the FIH's 'Highlights 2005-06' magazine, written by Peter Cohen, Secretary General of FIH. This was published ahead of the November 2006 Executive Board meeting at which the FIH formally recognised the WGMA as the international body responsible for organising Over 60s hockey.

"The WGMA was formed in 2002 with the objective "to assist the International Hockey Federation in the promotion and encouragement of playing Hockey in categories of age sixty years and older".

In a letter dated January 2005, the WGMA wrote to FIH seeking FIH recognition of the WGMA as the sole official representative of over 60s veterans' hockey.

Discussions followed between representatives of both organisations culminating in a decision of the FIH Executive Board to accede to the request subject to certain amendments being made to the Constitution of the WGMA and a Memorandum of Understanding being signed by both organisations specifying the meaning of 'recognition'.

I am pleased to report that the documentation is nearing completion and that I expect formal recognition of the WGMA will be accorded by the Executive Board when it meets in London in November (now achieved).

Veterans' hockey is not a new phenomenon and I expect that FIH will receive similar requests in the near future from others involved in other age groups. I see this as a very positive development, beneficial in every way for the sport. No doubt there will be initial problems, but none that can't be overcome.

In this context, I should also like to report that the FIH has become a member of the International Masters Games Association, a multi-sports event for masters/veterans held every four years. Hockey is one of the core sports on the programme."