THE New England over 40s side were joint premiers in last year’s half state titles and this year they are out to defend their title on home turf.
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The side will face Tamworth in their first game this afternoon before facing Newcastle in the division one competition.
The side’s Cyndy Slade said while they may be the old heads of the sport, her side knows what it takes to win.
“We have a very strong team this year and we are quite competitive,” she said.
“We are also a young team, I know we are old but we feel young and we definitely have a competitive streak.”
The team is made of players from all six teams in the local derby and had their first hit out as an outfit last night.
“We only play altogether when we go away, but most of us have played together and because we are older we know how to play the game,” she said. While Slade and her team are focused on taking out the weekend’s top honour, she said it was a chance to catch up with lifelong friends from the sport.
“I actually get to see all my friends I play with in the NSW team and now I will be playing against them,” she said. “It is just a bit of camaraderie and you get to see your mates from all over the state and everyone has a good time.”
Hockey New England will also field four other teams to contest a number of age divisions. Games will be held across two turfs and seven grass fields with more than 49 teams competing.
