To all SA Masters Hockey players and interested coaches and managers

WMH have officially confirmed the host countries for 2024 World Cup tournaments. We are pleased to announce that South Africa will once again be hosts to this amazing event. This time it will be the turn of the O35/O40 M/W and O65 to O80M plus SoM to play in front of the home crowd in Cape Town. Auckland, New Zealand will host the O45/O50 M/W, O55M/O60M and O55 to O70W, plus SoM.

The Cape Town World Cup is planned for 28 September to 8 October 2024. The final dates for Auckland still to be confirmed but indications are that it will be in the latter half of 2024.

Following a strategy session in March the SA Masters Executive have actively started working on the roadmap towards both World Cup events. The following is a broad outline of timelines:

Financial plan

Following our initial budgeting process, we estimate the total cost of participation to be R55 000 for New Zealand and R20 000 in Cape Town.  Like last year players will be required to commit to a financial plan and payment schedule as set out by SA Masters.

We understand that many eligible players may find the required investment challenging and we wish to do our utmost to alleviate this burden to ensure that we are able to select the best available teams. The SA Masters Leadership will work very hard to obtain sponsorships, but we will also be going a step further by appointing a third party to undertake professional fund-raising projects such as golf days, entertainment functions, etc. in the major locations. Squad members will be given an opportunity to participate in these projects to raise funds on an individual basis for the WC. In addition to the aforementioned, we shall also be making a sponsorship opportunity on the playing kit available for squad members who wish to sell this space to fund their individual participation.   We will communicate this information as soon as possible to help with budgeting and planning.

Trial information

• Players must be affiliated to SAHA and have a SAHA membership number; must be a fully paid- up member of your club or association.
• Must have a valid South African passport or be a permanent resident of South Africa.
• To be eligible for selection, players will be required to attend the following:
  • WC trials, August 2023
  • SA Masters IPT, August 2023
  • Africa Masters Invitational Cup 2023
  • National Camp & Final World Cup Selection: February 2024
• All players will be required to register prior to trials and pay a once off registration levy of R500.
• Participation in the WC squad fitness program and regional training sessions as set out by SA Masters once squads are announced.
• Must meet the age criteria as per FIH tournament rules below.
  • To be eligible to compete in any master’s competition, a player must be over the designated age limit on the 31 December of the year of the relevant competition or who will reach the designated age by/on 31 December 2024.
  • Players who are unable to comply with the selection requirements will have to apply in writing and request dispensation clearly stating the extenuating circumstances. Dispensation is not a guarantee for selection. The deadline for trial dispensation applications is 31July 2023 and must be sent to: president@samastershockey.co.za.

August trials: Age groups M35-60 and W35-65

• Trials will be held at St. Stithians College, Randburg Astro and Bryanston High School.
• Day 1: Tue 8 August, 12h00 to 16h00; Day 2: Wed 9 August, 09h00 to 13h00.
• Further details to follow wrt which venues will be used for the respective age groups.
• Trial dates for M65 – 75 will be communicated at the end of May 2023.

Trial registration

As mentioned above, all players will be required to register and pay a once off registration levy of R500 to be eligible for trials and selection. Click on link to enter https://forms.gle/7aJArXpUjSohioaK9.

• Trials are open to all players who meet the above criteria, notwithstanding the team or pool you play for at IPT.
• Registrations close – 31 July 2023
  • NAME:  South African Masters Hockey Association 
  • BANK:  FIRST NATIONAL BANK 
  • ACCOUNT: 62750268370 
  • BRANCH: 254605  
  • REFERENCE: Your name & surname

We will keep you informed as and when we have more information to share.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and long weekend.

For the love of the Game 

SA Masters Executive