COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – October 16, 2019 – The tryout dates and location have been confirmed for the U.S. Men’s Masters Teams heading to the 2020 Masters Hockey World Cups. USA is planning to send teams in the following men’s age divisions: O-35, O-40, O-45, O-50, O-55 and O-60 (and older age divisions if numbers are available).
The tryout for all age divisions will take place on Saturday, February 1 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT and Sunday, February 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT at St. John’s School in Houston, Texas. For athletes that are interested but unable to make the tryout, there is an alternative method for selection that must be submitted by Friday, January 17, 2020. Email mastersfieldhockey@gmail.com for more information on the alternative tryout method.
The tryout fee is $100 and is due by Friday, January 17, 2020. There is a $25 late fee on payments made after that date. Payments can be sent through PayPal (choose family and friends option) to mastersfieldhockey@gmail.com or by check payable to “USA Men’s Masters” and mailed to: Neville Gardner, 381 Bierys Bridge Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Deadline to register Friday, January 17, 2020
All athletes must be active members (temporary memberships will not be offered) of USA Field Hockey in order to participate in the tryout.
The U.S. Men’s Masters Committee is committed to sending the best teams to compete in as many age divisions as possible. The number and level of athletes that attend the tryouts will determine what age divisions are entered into the tournaments. Following the tryouts, the team selections will be announced consisting of no more than 18 athletes per roster.
An athlete’s age qualification is calculated as of December 31. For example, if an athlete turns 50 on December 31, 2020 (i.e., born on December 31, 1970), this individual can play for the O-50 team.
2020 Masters Hockey World Cup Events:
O-35 Men & O-40 Men Nottingham, England August 8-17, 2020
O-45 Men, O-50 Men & O-55 Men Cape Town, South Africa September 19-29, 2020
O-60 Men Tokyo, Japan November 5-15, 2020
Athletes are expected to play in their respective five-year age division and should be prepared to travel to the World Cup for that division. The U.S. Men’s Masters Committee understands that the 2020 Masters Hockey World Cups and fall high school and college seasons in the United States conflict, particularly the September event. As a result, the Committee will give consideration to requests from athletes to tryout for a younger age division. All requests must be in written form (email) and the athlete must clearly explain why he cannot play within his appropriate age division. Any decision to allow an athlete to tryout with another age division does not give that athlete any selection advantage.
As per World Masters Hockey regulations, to be eligible to represent a country in an inter-nation Masters event, "a player must be a national of that country or have been a resident of that country for a minimum of 12 months." The U.S. Men’s Masters Committee has interpreted this to mean be a citizen or have had permanent residence status for at least 12 months.
If you have any questions, please email Warren Prestwich, U.S. Men’s Masters Chairperson, at mastersfieldhockey@gmail.com or call (410) 830-0653.