Wales Masters have been globe-trotting over the past few months as the 2024 Masters Hockey World Cup took place over two continents.

Hosted in Cape Town, South Africa in October as well as Auckland, New Zealand in November, the Welsh took a host of teams to both locations to compete on the world stage.

Age groups ranging from O35s to O75s travelled thousands of miles bearing the Welsh flag, earning success and plaudits along the way.

Highlights Aplenty

Welsh teams tasted success in both locations, although the highlight came in Auckland as the Women’s O65s earned the country’s only podium finish across all age categories.

Eight goals in their opening three fixtures secured a 100% start and a place in the final four, before a goalless draw with Argentina rounded off a promising group phase.

The O65s ladies went on to cause an upset in the semifinal as they overcame Australia. Twice in the lead but pegged back, Wales’ hope might have faltered but the team’s spirit shone through, eventually securing a spot in the final with a 1-0 shootout win.

While the final produced a 7-0 defeat dominated by one of England’s eight Gold medal-winning sides across all events, a second-placed finish at the World Cup – a feat worthy of the Welsh hockey community’s pride – was already secured.

Near Misses

The Men’s O60s came close to joining their compatriots with a medal in New Zealand but succumbed to a 2-1 penalty shootout defeat to France in the Bronze medal match. Frustrated by England, the side lost to their neighbours and eventual Gold medallists in their opening fixture as well as the semi-final – although their first ever appearance in the final four would have taken away from that bitterness.

The Men’s O70s also placed fourth, potentially causing disappointment given they arrived in Cape Town as world champions. Three wins from four, including a fantastic 2-1 comeback win over England, launched them into the last four, but a despairing 7-1 defeat to eventual runners up Australia blocked their route to the showpiece event.

The Netherlands were the only team Wales couldn’t beat in the group phase, settling for a 1-1 draw, and so it proved in the Bronze medal match, as the Dutch won 3-1 to pip the Welsh to third.

Success Across The Age Groups

The Men’s success continued throughout the age groups, as the O75s and O55s managed top five finishes.

In South Africa, the O75s beat their hosts 2-0 on their way to fifth, while the O55s recovered from a 6-1 defeat to their hosts and a 2-1 loss to Australia to beat the USA, Belgium and Malaysia on their way to fifth in New Zealand.

The Women’s O40s and O60s also had campaigns to remember in Cape Town and Auckland respectively, both earning sixth place in their categories, a record high for the O40s.

Meanwhile, both the Men’s and Women’s O35s, the Women’s O55s, and the Men’s O65s all claimed top ten places. The Men’s O35s will remember their group phase meeting with Australia with great fondness, putting in a defensive masterclass to beat the eventual Bronze medallists 1-0.

Elsewhere, the Men’s O45s and O50s placed 12th and 13th respectively in New Zealand.

Passion, Fight, and Quality

While some of those Masters players will return to a rain-soaked Wales happier than others, there’s no doubt that the passion, fight, and quality on show from everyone at the World Masters Hockey World Cup ensured that Welsh spirit shone on the world stage.

Successes in South Africa and New Zealand will live long in the memory as the Wales Masters developed friendships, experienced one of the trips of their lives, and continued a life-long participation in hockey.

But there’s not much time for rest or contemplation, as the Masters are already on the hunt for improvements and continued glory, having started the campaign for the next World Cup already. Wherever this latest World Cup journey takes them, the Welsh Masters will undoubtedly be loud and bright.

Results

Men’s Cape Town

• O35S 10th
• O65s 9th
• O70s 4th
• O75s 5th

Women’s Cape Town

• O35s 8th
• O40s 6th

Men’s Aukland

• O45s 13th
• O50s 12th
• O55s 5th
• O60s 4th

Women’s Aukland

• O55s 9th
• O60s 6th
• O65s 2nd

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