Bedford Hockey Club has kicked off their new season in showcasing that age is no barrier to playing hockey.
For many years now, the club has entered teams into the England Hockey Masters National Championships at Women’s Over 35s, Over 45s and Over 55s, and Men’s Over 40s.
The teams are primarily made up of Bedford Hockey Club members who also play regular adult league hockey for the club, with the addition of a few guest players, joining from other clubs in the region that don’t have sufficient numbers of masters players to form squads of their own.
On Thursday evening (29 August), a number of Bedford Hockey Club Women’s Masters played a fast-paced, highly competitive match.
There was nothing unusual in that, but what was remarkable was that there was no away team opposition, both teams being made up from players within the club’s own masters set-up.
Even more incredible was the fact that twenty six of the twenty eight players were 40 or over, the vast majority being over 55, several over 60 and three 70 or over, the most senior being 76.
The three septuagenarians, and several of the other players, have progressed to mainstream master’s hockey after initially joining the club’s Walking Hockey sessions.
Three of them never having picked up a hockey stick before beginning with the walking format of the game, another having had a 40-year break from play.
All are now relishing playing the mainstream sport.
The Bedford Masters v Bedford Masters match finished, very suitably, in a 1-1 draw with Masters Hockey itself being the winner.
For more information on the upcoming season at Bedford Hockey Club, you can visit their website here.
Words by Jean Fitch
