Preview: Second Weekend Of Masters International Invitational Event

After a highly successful first weekend of competition at the Masters’ International Invitational Event at the Nottingham Hockey Centre, the second round of matches take place this week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

34 teams played 47 matches last weekend, with England Women’s Masters hosting Ireland, Scotland, Wales and some England Regional squads at 035, 040, 045, 050, 055 & 060 age groups with the England 065s also taking part.

In addition, England Men’s 060 and 065s played fixtures with Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

During this week England Hockey should have staged the World Masters Hockey World Cup for 035 and 040 women and men, but this was cancelled due to the pandemic. This has been rescheduled for August 2022 and the Invitational Event is being used as a test event for next year when over 60 teams from all around the world will travel to Nottingham to compete to become World Champions at women’s and men’s 035/040 age groups.

The event last weekend was the first major international event staged for two years and was supported by over 40 volunteers, including umpires, match officials and hockey maker volunteers as well as the army of Nottingham Hockey Centre staff.

Although it was agreed that results would not count to overall placings within the age groups, the competition was fierce and there were many excellent games between international rivals.  However, the overall emphasis was on participation and a celebration of being able to compete again on the international stage.

This weekend the England Masters EH men stage an 035/040/045/050/055 event with 30 matches being played.

Matches will be streamed again on Saturday & Sunday on https://masters2022.hockey