Category: World Cup

World Masters Hockey World Cup 2026: Hosts, Dates and Selection Details

After months of anticipation, World Masters Hockey has confirmed the hosts and dates for the 2026 World Cup. SA Masters Hockey Association (SAMHA) is proud to share the official details and outline the selection process for Team South Africa.

World Cup 2026: Hosts and Dates

HC Rotterdam (T1 & T2)

Rotterdam, Netherlands 22 July – 1 August 2026

  • Age categories: O35, O40, O45, O50 (Men and Women)

KHC Dragons (T3)

Brasschaat, Belgium 6 – 16 August 2026

  • Age categories: O55, O60 (Men); O55, O60, O65, O70 (Women)

BHV Push (T4)

Breda, Netherlands 6 – 16 August 2026

  • Age categories: O65, O70, O75, O80 (Men)
WC-2026-M65-80

About SA Masters Hockey (SAMHA)

SA Masters Hockey is the governing body for masters hockey in South Africa. SAMHA:

  • Appoints key personnel and allocates resources
  • Selects and registers teams for local and international events
  • Manages all associated financial matters
  • Ensures centralised, consistent communication across operations

Selection and Trial Process

  1. Online Registration (closed)
    • Register intent to trial, IPT and AMI by 25 July
    • Pay non-refundable deposit of R 500
  2. Masters Trials
    • August 2025 in Gqeberha for O35s
  3. Inter-Provincial Tournaments (IPT) & AMI
    • Masters IPT (O60s) – March 2025, Gqeberha
    • Masters IPT (O35s) – August 2025, Gqeberha
    • African Masters Invitational Series (AMI): 21–23 November 2025, Johannesburg
  4. World Cup Squad Announcement
    • Date to be confirmed
  5. National Camp
    • Date to be confirmed

Selection Criteria

  • Current SAHA membership and club registration
  • Active hockey participation
  • Valid South African passport or permanent residence
  • Meets age criteria by 31 December 2026
  • Completion of registration levy
  • Attendance at trials, IPT, AMI and camp (unless dispensation granted)

Dispensation Process

Players unable to attend trials or IPT may apply in writing, stating extenuating circumstances. The SAMHA President and Head of International Hockey, in consultation with selectors, will approve or reject requests.

Selection Principles and Committee

The Selection Committee comprises:

  • SAMHA President
  • Head of International Hockey
  • Heads of Selection & Player Affairs

They finalise squads across all age categories, guided by:

  • Squad size and positional balance
  • Specific skills and team combinations
  • Overseas-based player availability
  • Injury status and dispensation approvals
  • Video footage reviews

Financial Commitment and Estimated Costs

All selected players must commit to the financial plan and deadlines. Key expenses include:

  • Tournament levies and registration fees
  • Flights (R 15 000–R 21 000)
  • Visa (R 1 845)
  • Accommodation (12 nights: R 15 000–R 17 000)
  • Local transport and sundries
  • Team kit and apparel
  • Coaching and support staff contributions
  • Insurance and administrative costs

Total estimated cost per player: R 42 645–R 50 645

Appointment of Support Teams

Applications for coaches and managers are under review. The Selection Committee will recommend appointments to the SAMHA President. Confirmation of all support staff will follow shortly.

Next Steps & AMI Series Details

By 15 September 2025, SAMHA will publish preliminary squads (18–22 players per age group). Invited players will attend AMI (21–23 November 2025) at venues across Johannesburg:

  • St Stithians
  • Morningside
  • Bryanston High School
  • University of Johannesburg
  • Linden High School
  • Randburg

2025 Key Dates

  • 31 August: Final deadline for online registration
  • August: Masters trials – Gqeberha (O35s)
  • March: Masters IPT – Gqeberha (O60s)
  • 15 September: Provisional squads announced
  • 21–23 November: AMI Series – Johannesburg

Stay tuned to email, the SAMHA website and social media for detailed schedules and announcements. Best of luck on the journey to World Cup 2026!

SA Masters Hockey – World Cup 2026 Campaign Brief

SA Masters Hockey Association – August 2025

🏑 Overview

SA Masters Hockey is aligning its policies and procedures across all age categories (35+ to 75+) for the 2026 World Cup. A uniform approach to selection and preparation will ensure consistency and success.

We will no longer distinguish between over and under 60 teams for international competition, though selection methods will be tailored to each age group.

🧭 Selection Committee

A single SA Masters Selection Committee has been formed to oversee the process. It reports directly to the President and coordinates with selectors and coaches to ensure fairness and quality.

Committee Members:

  • Mark Halgryn – Chairperson
  • Barry Froneman
  • Debbi Gates

Responsibilities:

  • Define and implement selection policy
  • Manage timelines and platforms
  • Review dispensation applications
  • Communicate selection matters
  • Appoint coaches, managers, and selectors

🌍 African Masters Invitational (AMI)

The AMI is a key selection platform—not a trial—but designed to simulate the FIH World Cup experience. We aim to include teams from at least two countries in the 2025 edition.

Goals of AMI:

  • Stress-test coaches and managers
  • Provide additional selection opportunities
  • Select SA A and SA B sides per age group (where possible)

Players will be selected based on:

  • IPT performances
  • Trials
  • Previous international experience
  • Visual recordings (if needed)

Participation in AMI does not guarantee or exclude World Cup selection.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Selection Panels

Men’s Panels:

Age GroupSelectors
35, 40, 45Steve Evans, Julian Hykes, Anton Peltenburg, Bryce West, Rob van Ginkel
50, 55, 60–75+Dave Reid-Ross, Colin Douglas, Graham Hawkins, Malcolm Williams, Ian Spooner

Women’s Panels:

Age GroupSelectors
35, 40, 45Jonty Robinson, Matthew Storti, Jordan Drury, Leon Keulder, Andi Bernstein
50, 55, 60–65+Andi Bernstein, Tracey Flowers, Madi Petersen, Chris de Koker, Jarryd Byron

🏨 World Cup Logistics Committee

A separate committee will handle:

  • Finances
  • Accommodation
  • Travel logistics

If you’d like to assist, please send a short CV to: 📧 Sharon Barnard – shazibhockey@gmail.com

🛡️ Our Values

For the Badge

  • Represent South Africa, our sport, and our team
  • Play to win
  • Play for each other

For the Love of the Game

  • Find enjoyment in playing
  • Respect and nurture the game

In the Spirit of Masters

  • Integrity
  • Fair play
  • Respect for opponents and officials

📬 Contact

For questions or input, feel free to reach out.

Reg Marais President, SA Masters Hockey

AMI 21–23 November 2025 & Roadmap to WC2026

Key Documents & Links

  1. Attachment: Roadmap Leading to WC2026 (Version Three) – see bottom of page.
  2. AMI Application Link: WC Trials & AMI Registration

Event Details

  • AMI 2025 Dates: 21–23 November 2025 (Johannesburg)
  • Purpose: Select 35+ to 75+ Masters Hockey Squads for WMH 2026 Tournament (host countries TBD).

Registration Deadlines & Requirements

  • AMI Registration Opens: 14–15 May 2025
  • AMI Registration Closes: 22 September 2025
  • Players must register in their age group as of 31 December 2026 (no lower-age-group participation).
  • SAMHA Fee: R500.00 (due by 30 September 2025).
    • Bank Details: FNB Acc. 62750268370, Branch Code 254605.

Key Prerequisites

For WC2026 Selection Candidates:

  • Registered with SAHA for 2025 (provide registration number).
  • Paid 2025 SAGMHA capitation fees (R250.00) by 31 July 2025.
  • Mandatory attendance at 2026 IPT (Durban, 19–22 February 2026) for final squad selection.

For AMI-Only Participants (No WC2026 Selection):

  • Same SAHA registration and capitation fee (R250.00 by 31 July 2025).

WC2026 Commitment & Fees

  • WC2026 Commitment Fee: R1,000.00 (due by 31 January 2026).
    • Bank Details: Nedbank Acc. 1022379879.
    • Refunds for non-selected players by 31 March 2026.
  • 2026 IPT Additional Fees: R250.00 capitation + tournament levy (due by 7 February 2026).

Additional Notes

  • Team Composition: Players will not represent provinces at AMI; teams will be selected by coaches.
  • Kit Requirements: Standard AMI 2023 kit (details TBA).
  • Dispensations: Required for underage players at IPT2026 or if unable to attend AMI.

Contact

For queries, contact Barry.

Regards,
SAGMHA

Roadmap Attachment

S.A. MASTERS ROADMAP LEADING TO WC2026 VERSION FIVE 21072025Download

Payment schedule

AMI and WC2026 TRIALS PAYMENT SCHEDULEDownload

WMH WC2024 South African Hockey Teams

Good morning all SA Grand Masters Hockey Players,

Following the successful March 2024 IPT and selection process in Johannesburg SAGMHA is pleased to announce the names of the players who have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2024 Masters World Cups to be held in Cape Town and Auckland later this year.

Our congratulations go to the players, their coaches, and managers.

We wish them success on the hockey field, to play good competitive hockey and bring back medals but also to soak up the opportunity to meet and make good friends.

SAGMHA Executive Committee

South African Hockey Players Selected for New Zealand WC2024

Ladies Over 60 Age Group

NAMEPROVINCE
BELINDA VAN ZYLKZN
BERNADINE BANGERTS.G.
BRONWEN MUIRS.G.
CAROLINE HARRISS.G.
CELIA TAYLORBORDER
DEBRA MARSHALLBORDER
DESIREE GOLACHS.G.
ELIZABETH BRINKKZN
HELENA DALBOCKBORDER
ISABEL MALANS.G.
JEZAL IDASS.G.
KAREN HAGERKZN
MARGOT RIDDLEKZN
MARGOT WORSWICKZIM
MARINDA MILESS.G.
MERLYN MACKENNAS.G.
SUSAN BROOKSKZN
ZELDA VERMEULENS.G.
SHARON BARNARD(MNGR)S.G.
TRACEY FLOWERS(COACH)MPUM.
SHARON NEL(RES)KZN
SUSAN PIDERIT(RES)BORDER
SHEREEN WALKER(RES)MPUM.

Men Over 60 Age Group

NAMEPROVINCE
ALLAN ROXTON WIGGILLS.G.
ANDREW BAKERKZN
CARL EICHSTADTS.G.
CHRIS JORDANE.P.
CHRIS REINKZN
FRED FROELINGS.G.
GAVIN SYMONSS.G.
GLENN TURNERW.P.
JAMES A THOMKZN
JIMMY SHANKLANDKZN
KLAUS WIESEW.P.
LEO NOLANW.P.
MARC STENRIS.G.
MARK SOUTHERNS.G.
PAUL McKANES.G.
PIETER SCHOLTZS.G.
ROGER WOODW.P.
VALIANT Ah LINGE.P.
MICKEY BROUGHTON(MNGR)S.G.
GRAHAM HAWKINS(COACH)GIBRALTAR
MIKE COLLINS (RES)KZN

South African Hockey Players Selected For Cape Town  WC2024

Men Over 65 Age Group

NAMEPROVINCE
ANDREAS REDENZW.P.
BRYAN WEBSTERW.P.
GRAHAM MUIRS.G.
GARY FRAYNEW.P.
GLYN BEDFORDW.P.
JOCK COOMBESKZN
JOHN MASTERSW.P.
KELVIN CAVANAGHS.G.
KEVIN NICOLS.G.
MICK COOKS.G.
PETER MARTINS.G.
PETER SHARDLOWW.P.
ROBERT GRACIEW.P.
ROB SELLERSS.G.
STEPHEN PELLS.G.
TREVOR KNIGHTW.P.
STEPHEN KELLY(MNGR)W.P.
DES YATES(COACH)W.P.

Men Over 65 SOM Age Group

NAMEPROVINCE
ANDRE LOUWKZN
BRIAN SMITHKZN
BRUCE FANNINS.G.
CRAIG LONGWORTHKZN
DAVID MORTIMERS.G.
DEREK MARNEWICKW.P.
GUY JENKINSW.P.
HOWARD FLETCHERS.G.
JOE AZEVEDOS.G.
KEVIN CARLISLEKZN
MICHAEL BENNETTS.G.
NEIL HARTYS.G.
RODNEY DU TOITKZN
RUSSELL GILLS.G.
SHANE DEMEKZN
WILFIE LAATZKZN
MARY HARTY(MNGR)S.G.
DAVE MUIR(COACH)S.G.
ALLAN LEAVER(RES)KZN

Men Over 70 Age Group

NAMEPROVINCE
BARRY FRONEMANS.G.
BOBBY FREEMANW.P.
CLIVE SURTEESS.G.
DANNY ST DAREW.P.
GEOFF DRAKES.G.
GYS CILLIERSW.P.
JOHN DONALDW.P.
JOHN SHARDLOWW.P.
KEITH PEELKZN
KEITH DAUNCEYS.G.
KEVIN ROBERTSONS.G.
ROB SOLANS.G.
RON DEANEKZN
RIEL SMITW.P.
ROSS RICHARDSS.G.
SEAN WANCKELS.G.
TERRY DUNNE(MNGR)S.G.
IAN SPOONER(COACH)S.G.
MALCOLM WENTWORTH(RES)E.P.

Men Over 75 Age Group

NAMEPROVINCE
BASIL EVANSKZN
BOB COMMINSW.P.
CLIFF RUTHERFORDW.P.
EDMUND FISHERW.P.
IAN RICHTERW.P.
JOHN DES LIGNERISS.G.
JOHN MAYW.P.
MICHAEL O KEEFEW.P.
PETER FROSTW.P.
PETER WILSONW.P.
ROB BIRTW.P.
ROD PALMERW.P.
ROGER MAYESS.G.
SYD CULLISW.P.
TOM LAWLESSS.G.
TREVOR BOEHLERS.G.
TREVOR SINCLAIRS.G.
TREVOR WHITEHEADS.G.
NOREEN WONNACOTT (MNGR)W.P.
THOMAS POTGIETER (COACH)W.P.
PETER REDFEARN(RES)S.G.

Reminder re 2024 WC registration date

Below please find an important update and revision of the registration date for the Cape Town 2024 Masters Hockey World Cup.

It is essential that all Provincial players, some of whom may not have, as yet, registered for the 2024 WC.

Those who have not registered have two months to do so.

To those who have registered I have confirmed by email their registration.

Another email will be sent towards the end of October confirming those who register during October.

Revision of Players Registration date

This is an update on an important date regarding the 2024 Cape Town World Cup.

You may recall that in Newsletter 3 it was pointed out that those players who were interested in participating in Cape Town Masters World Cup 2024, in age groups 65 to 80, are required to access and complete the APPLICATION LINK B in that newsletter.

The original player registration deadline was 31 January 2024 and the commitment fee of R500.00 was to be paid to SAGMH bank account no later than 31 January 2024.

It is important to note that we are required to register our RSA teams for the Cape Town World Cup with World Masters Hockey by the 29th February 2024.

A payment amount of R19,200.00 per team, must accompany this registration.

Knowing this requires us to firm up the number of teams we are going to register for the World Cup 2024; information which is derived from player registration on the registration links explained and provided in the Newsletter Number 3, link copied below for convenience.

APPLICATION LINK B TO REGISTER FOR Cape Town World Cup 2024 https://forms.gle/a6Pb3Rbi8EEBrygx5

To date the players who have registered for the Cape Town World Cup, per team number:

  • +65: 32 players
  • +70: 21 players
  • +75: 15 players
  • Total : 68 players

If these numbers increase we may be able to field two +65 teams.

For this reason and to meet the requirement to register our teams with World Masters  our player registration closing date is being  brought forward to 30th November 2023.

Those players who have not registered thus far therefore have October and November to decide if they wish to be considered for selection.

To this end I am also attaching the 3rd Newsletter which has the player registration link and other information you may find useful circulating.

A 4th Newsletter will be published in October 2023.

Please communicate this revised date to all your players thereby giving them a reminder and a “heads up” on the earlier FINAL registration date: 30th November 2023

The commitment fee of R500.00 remains to be affected and reflected in the SAGMHA bank account no later than 31 January 2024.

SAGMHA Newsletter No 3 of 2023

As the year moves on, we are getting closer to the African Masters Invitational Series and of course the 2024 Masters World Cups.

You have already received 2 “Grandmasters” newsletters from Barry and me this year.

We have also circulated SA Masters Newsletters when they have been sent to us.

Below please find our 2023 3rd Grandmasters Newsletter.

Once you read the newsletter you will notice that players have two options to consider when registering for either of these two tournaments or for both of them.

There are two links to use for REGISTRATION for either or both the African Cup or the 2024 World Cup.

Please distribute this newsletter to all of your players/members and request that they give it careful consideration and complete the links.

Please encourage your players to read the newsletter fully before going back to the links to make their choice/s.

We look forward to a positive and enthusiastic response.

Thank you for your assistance in distributing this email and its newsletter.

Kind regards

Rob

SA-Grand-Masters-Hockey-Association-Newsletter-Number-3-of-2023Download

SAGMHA June 2023 Newsletter No: 2 of 2023

Included please find the SA Masters Hockey Newsletter JOURNEY TO WORLD CUP 2024, June 2023 as well as our SAGMHA JUNE 2023 NEWSLETTER NO: 2 of 2023.

I request that you distribute both Newsletters to your players and members in your Association.

I emphasize however that you should request that the recipients of your email distribution first read the SA Masters Hockey Newsletter JOURNEY TO WORLD CUP 2024, June 2023, and thereafter the SAGMHA Newsletter.

Any questions can be directed to either Barry or me.

Kind regards

Rob

Secretary SAGMHA

Documents

SA-Grand-Masters-Hockey-Association-Newsletter-Number-2-2023Download
SA-Masters-Newsletter-2-June-2023Download

Soliciting Interest in positions of Manager and Coach for the World Cups 2024

Attn: Coaches and Managers for the 2024 Masters Hockey World Cups

The purpose of this email is to solicit interest from those persons who would like to volunteer for either of the positions of Manager or Coach for the two 2024 Master’s Hockey World Cups:

  • Cape Town 12th to 21st October 2024
  • Auckland 7th to 16th November 2024

The trials for the team selection of the Over 60 Men’s and Over 60 Ladies going to Auckland will be held in Johannesburg on the 8th and 9th August 2023, only 3 months away.
It is therefore particularly important for these two teams to have both portfolios finalised prior to the trials.

Please give consideration to this opportunity.

If you would like to be considered for either the Auckland or Cape Town World Cups please submit your name, by the 26th May 2023, with your contact details and an appropriate CV based on the attached roles of the 2023 Manager and Coach to:

  • Barry Froneman (barryfroneman@telkomsa.net) and
  • Rob Birt (birtfam@iafrica.com)
Managers-Duties-and-Responsibilities-2023Download
Coaches-Duties-and-Responsibilities-2023Download