Tag: newsletter

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!

GM IPT Fixtures 2024 and Newsletter

SAGMHA IPT – 22nd TO 24th MARCH 2024 

Hosted by Southern Gauteng

Fellow Hockey Lovers,

We presume that all hockey players have been honing their skills in preparation for the forthcoming IPT.

This is our 2nd newsletter and some of the points raised in the 1st newsletter are repeated here where relevant. We sincerely apologise for any delays, which were caused by late entry changes and the odd number of teams entered.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

MONDAY 18TH MARCH 2024
18:00ONLINE MANAGERS MEETING MANAGERS & COACHES
THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 2024
14:00Managers and Coaches briefing session.BHSWC TRIALISTS
FRIDAY 22ND MARCH 2024
 TEAMS ARRIVE
11:00GAMES START SAINTSALL
18:30GAMES FINISH SAINTSALL
18:30BOABAB AWARDS FUNCTION (INVITED PLAYERS)HIGHER GROUNDBARRY FRONEMAN
SATURDAY 23RD MARCH 2024
09:00GAMES START MCC & BRYANSTONALL
16:30GAMES FINISH MCC & BRYANSTONALL
17:00ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGMCC TENNIS CLUBHOUSEGM MEMBERS
18:30IPT DINNERMCC MAIN CLUBHOUSEALL
SUNDAY 24TH MARCH 2024
08:00GAMES START SAINTS, MCC & BRYANSTONALL
12:30GAMES FINISH SAINTS, MCC & BRYANSTONALL
13:15SA TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTSAINTS GRANDSTANDSAGM – BARRY FRONEMAN
14:15TEAMS DEPART
  • Program items are subject to change.

MASTERS WORLD CUP TRIALS 2024 (FOR WC OVER 60’S REGISTERED LADIES AND MEN PLAYERS)

  • SAGMHA will issue separate messages to the trialists for the session that will take place one day prior to the commencement of IPT i.e., on 21 March 2024.

TEAM ENTRIES

  • Regrettably, SA Alliance has withdrawn from the IPT for the first time in many years due to a lack of numbers and their available players have been allocated to various teams. 
  • Unfortunately, WP 60’s men’s and WP ladies’ teams have not been entered either.
  • We have 19 provincial teams, comprising 265 players and an invitational team per day to balance the matches.

TOURNAMENT LEVY

Each Provincial team was to pay a non-refundable Registration Deposit of R1000.00 per team to SGGMHA by 9 February 2024. Where deposits have been paid, this should be deducted from the total amount payable.

  • The Tournament Levy has been approved at R 690.00 per player and R 250.00 per non-playing managers/coaches (including dinner) and is due by 13 March 2024. 
  • Unfortunately, the withdrawal of teams and non-paying invitational teams has meant a higher cost per player than envisaged. The cost of the Saturday evening dinner is included.
  • Spouses and other supporters/guests attending the final dinner need to pay R 250.00 to attend the dinner. 
  • Costs include:
    • Field hire, medical facilities, umpires, tech bench, balls, air horns, LOC venue managers, security, dinner, music, power, waste, cleaning, etc.

SUMMARY OF COSTS

Payment of the tournament levy is due by 13 March 2024 into the following account:

BANK ACCOUNT:  
SGGMHA
NEDBANK CURRENT ACCOUNT
NUMBER: 1081857021 
REF: Province + team registered

COSTS (REQUIRED)
TEAM DEPOSITR          1 000,00 
PLAYER LEVYR             690,00 
MAN/COACH LEVYR             250,00 
SPOUSE/GUEST DINNERR             250,00 
BAOBAB AWARDS FUNCTION (BY INVITATION FOR 70’s/75’s)R             125,00 

FIXTURES

  • The Fixtures are attached to the email, together with this Newsletter.

MANAGERS MEETING

  • There will be an online manager’s meeting on the 18th March 2024. Link to follow.
  • We will have a brief managers session on the 22nd March 2024 at 10h30 at Saints by the Seattle Coffee shop, this will be to hand out dinner tickets etc.

ASTRO VENUES

  • To keep the costs to a minimum, of which medical services comprises the greatest, the LOC has chosen to play the matches at the fields identified in the Fixtures. Saints is not available on Saturday.
  • Each team will play three matches (1 match per day) from 22-24 March 2024.
  • Morningside Country Club (MCC) 1 De La Rey Road, Morningside
    • Single Astro, showers and change rooms, with a pub at the Astro hockey clubhouse. Food is available at the Main Clubhouse and at the Hockey Clubhouse during matches on Saturday.
    • The Main Club is within 100 metres of the astro, with a full cash bar, marque tent with tables, benches, chairs, and menu meals are available.
    • Please note that no alcohol may be taken to the venue, as it is licensed.
  • Bryanston High School Astro (BHS) 7 Tramore Road, Bryanston. 10km from MCC
    • Single Astro, showers and change rooms, with a small tuckshop which limited food available (Toasted sandwiches, wraps, chicken salad, waters, energade and cooldrinks).
    • Please note that no alcohol may be taken to the venue.
  • St. Stithian’s School (Saints)
    • Two world class astros, showers/change rooms, tented area and a coffee shop, a food truck with limited food available (Breakfast rolls, burgers, waters, energy drinks and cooldrinks).
    • As requested by SAGMHA, the announcement of the SA teams will take place at Saints.
    • Please note that no alcohol may be taken to the venue.

DRINKS

  • Alcohol/cold drinks are served at MCC.
  • Only cold drinks and waters are available at BHS. No beers allowed.
  • Only cold drinks and waters are available at Saints. No beers allowed. 
  • Managers to arrange own half-time drinks for all venues.
  • Cooler boxes will be loaned to the 9 visiting teams (KZN x 4, WP x 3, EP x 2).

AGM

  • To be held at the MCC Tennis Clubhouse on Saturday 24 March at 18h00.

SATURDAY EVENING DINNER/DANCE

  • The Saturday evening dinner/dance will be held at MCC at 18h30 after the AGM, comprising a carvery and live music.
  • The cost of the dinner for players is included in the levy.
  • The cost of dinner for Spouses, guests and visitors is R 250.00
  • The theme for the dinner/dance is “Just Jozi”. To use ideas such as “shebeen, gold, glitzy, City of Gold, etc.”.
  • Tickets/arm bands for the dinner, plus for Spouses/Guests will be issued at the managers’ meeting.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

  • There will be a roving ambulance to cover all venues and an ALS or BLS medic with a defibrillator at each venue.

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

  • Physiotherapists will be available at the venues, for the players’ own account.
  • Treatment R 100.00 & Strapping R 50.00

INDEMNITY & MEDICAL FORMS

  • You are reminded that each player must complete the Indemnity and Medical form for submission to their managers by 15 March 2024.

UMPIRES AND TECHNICAL TABLE PERSONNEL

  • The duties of the umpires and the technical delegates will be as per FIH regulations and your co-operation regarding the fulfilment of their duties will be appreciated. Umpires and tech bench personnel have been arranged by SGMHA for each venue as per the fixture list.

ACCOMMODATION

  • For those who have not yet booked accommodation, there are hotels near the Astros: 
  • Road lodge Rivonia is nearest to MCC.
  • City Lodge Peter Place is closest to BHS and Saints.
  • Sierra Hotel Randburg is another option.

ROAD MAP

  • An updated roadmap as a build-up to the IPT has been attached to the covering email, highlighting critical dates for the flow of information, payments, and parties responsible for the implementation of requirements.

Should you require any further details etc., kindly contact me.

FOR THE LOVE OF HOCKEY.

Kind Regards,

Monty Schwegmann

SGGMHA Chair

IPT Fixtures

Roadmap

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

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

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