COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – October 24, 2019 – In order to establish a consistent process, the U.S. Women’s Masters Committee has announced that an annual tryout, during a similar time of the year and at a similar location, will begin taking place. This will allow proactive selections to be made as the Committee prepares for World Masters Hockey (WMH) events.
The Committee will also start a new selection format. Approximately 2 to 3 weeks after a tryout, a training squad of 25 to 30 athletes from each age division will be announced for the year. Before a WMH event, a travel team consisting of a maximum of 18 athletes will be selected from that training squad.
The first annual tryout will take place over two-days on Saturday, January 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Del. All athletes in the O-35, O-40, O-45, O-50, O-55 and O-60+ are invited to attend. For athletes that are interested but unable to make the tryout, there is an alternative selection option of sending in a CV, resume, video and/or provide references.
The tryout fee is $50, for both the in-person tryout and alternative selection option. The registration deadline is Wednesday, January 22, 2020 and alternative selection option submissions will be accepted until Friday, January 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Deadline to register is Wednesday, January 22, 2020
All athletes must be active members (temporary memberships will not be offered) of USA Field Hockey in order to participate in the tryout.
Selected U.S. Women’s Masters Training Squads will practice throughout the year and have the opportunity to represent at the Masters Hockey World Cup competitions taking place in summer 2020.
2020 Masters Hockey World Cup Events:
O-35 Women & O-40 Women Nottingham, England August 8-17, 2020
O-45 Women - O-60 Women Cape Town, South Africa September 19-29, 2020
Preparation for the Masters Hockey World Cups will include practices from March through the start of the event, in addition to some open tournaments. Selected athletes to the travel teams will be asked to arrive at the event several days prior to competition for the opportunity to practice together.
The cost for the travel teams will be self-funded and will include major costs of airfare, accommodations and food. The cost will be dependent on where the athlete is traveling from. Based on previous tournaments’ general cost, it is safe to budget between $2,500 to $3,500.
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.
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 the U.S. Women’s Masters Coordinator at womensmastersfieldhockey@gmail.com.
Being selected to represent Team USA is an honor. Please review the women’s Masters Player Contract that describes the terms of selection by clicking here.