SA MASTERS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

“JOURNEY TO THE WORLD CUP 2024”

AMI Selection

To the SA Masters Hockey community,

Once again, thank you for attending the SA Masters trials, and what a turnout it was, this is not only exciting but puts us well on track for the “Journey to the World Cup 2024”

I am sure you are all eagerly awaiting the announcement of the squads/teams for the Africa Masters Invitational (AMI). The primary objective of the AMI is to provide our SA Masters Squads the opportunity to play competitive hockey in a WC environment. We have invited the international hockey community and have received expressions of interest from numerous countries. 

However, first and foremost, before we announce the provisional selection, we would like to convey across to all of you that the AMI series is another selection platform. Due to the incredible turnout at trials, SA Masters have, after reviewing the process, decided that the series should afford the selected players another opportunity to be seen by the selectors in a tournament environment.

With this in mind we have selected teams comprising of players in their specific age groups, which allows us to ascertain our strength in depth. Some age groups had a large number of trialists so we have created multiple teams, and although these teams are selected on the basis of strength, they are not the final selection and may change after the AMI. Added to the mix of players are those who could not make the trials and had requested dispensation as the AMI will provide those players an opportunity to be seen. Selectors will be looking at all teams with the intention of selecting the strongest teams from the trialists to represent SA at the World Cup. This means it is possible for players, from any team, to be selected into the final squad. In addition to the squads announced herein, we will be inviting the trialists, who were not included in the SA Masters squads, to form part of invitation teams for the AMI.

Please note that our approach to age category selection pre-supposes that SA Masters will be able to send teams in all age categories to the WC. In the event that we are not able to do so, we will allow players in those age categories to be selectable for the final WC squads.

The shear number of teams have left us at a bit of a disadvantage as far as coaches and managers are concerned, but we aim to make an announcement in this regard by 8 September 2023. Should you wish to put up your hand for the AMI or can recommend someone else, please forward the relevant details to Mark or Debbi asap.

Any questions regarding the process, please contact Mark Halgryn 0768500192 or Debbi Gates 0834603658.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the AMI and congratulations to everyone included in the SA Masters AMI Squads.

For the love of the Game

SA Masters Executive