Bedford Hockey Club boasted six participants in the International Grand Masters Hockey Festival, which took place in Nottingham, starting with an opening ceremony on Sunday 29 June and concluding on Sunday 6 July, after a rigorous week of play, in baking temperatures.
Chris Townson, Dave Sharples, Gary Hickman, Jon Ratcliffe, Clive Whittle and Steve Bilham, all of whom play their league hockey for Bedford, were representing Alliance in the tournament.
Alliance is a global Masters’ Hockey Club, for men and women who are passionate about their hockey and want to experience the joy of playing on an international stage, competing against the world’s best.
It was formed twenty-three years ago and currently has over 300 members from 32 countries.
Alliance enables masters hockey players to participate in elite level events and festivals around the world, including World and Continental Cups.
The squads are formed by bringing together players from all corners of the globe, transcending borders, with teams currently competing in ages from 55 plus to 75 plus, at five year intervals.
Whilst there’s no question that the teams play to win, representing Alliance is far more than just about competing. Alliance players celebrate camaraderie and sportsmanship, centred around the spirit of collaboration.
Jon Ratcliffe summed this ethos up, saying, “The Alliance is all about unity and sportsmanship, and our team’s performance this week is a perfect example of that.
“We’re proud to have players from different countries and backgrounds coming together to play the beautiful game”.
Bedford’s men played their matches for the Alliance 60 plus squad, except for Steve Bilham, who played mostly for the 65 plus team.
Other international teams present at the Grand Master’s Festival, many of whom the Alliance squads competed against, included several England LX teams, as well as Dutch squads and teams from Buenos Aires, USA, Spain, Wales and Scotland.
There was even a Celtic Men’s Over 80s team in action.
Alliance is the epitome of what the organisers of this international master’s competition, the World Master’s Hockey Association (WMH), stand for – fostering lifelong participation and enjoyment in hockey for all.
Words by Jean Fitch
