Lynn Combes back from the world masters hockey world cup

The women’s over 45 England masters hockey team played seven games in ten days during their world cup run in South Africa.

Their campaign culminated in a 3-1 loss against Argentina in the final, resulting in England receiving their silver medals.
“As a squad, we had only trained together three times before the tournament,” said team member and Balderton resident Lynn Combes.

The final was a hard-fought match played at Hartlevale, Cape Town and the squad did well to make it that far in the tournament.

“Although we were disappointed not to get gold we were very proud of our squad’s performance overall,” said Coombes.

England represented every age group in the South African event which included women’s and men’s teams in the 45s, 50s 55s, 60s, and 65s age groups.

In a tremendous achievement, every England age group came away with a medal including six golds.

It was Combes’s third world cup after a six-year gap initially due to non-selection and later injury.

She said that she was very proud to pull on an England shirt again.

“We played at two different venues, the camaraderie, and friendliness throughout all the nations was fantastic to see,” said Combes.

“We came fourth in the pool but beat Germany in the semis to get to the finals.

“We got to visit table mountain, did a quick safari, and went to cape point.

“We stayed at the same hotel as the England men’s over 45’s and the USA women’s over 60’s, it was quite a social event.”

Players found out in March after trials whether they were in the squad and there were quite a few new faces.

“I was chuffed to bits when I got selected,” said Combes.

Representing the country is not cheap though, athletes and team management have to cover the costs themselves which for a trip like the one to South Africa, runs into thousands of pounds.

Athletes self-fund all expenses including travel costs, accommodation, kit, food, and physio fees.
Despite this, Combes is eager to continue playing and is enjoying her hockey.

Trials for the team started last November, there were four trial dates to select the squad. “I’ve always enjoyed doing the masters and it has spurred me on to attempt selection again,” she said.

Combes got to play with some familiar team mates including captain Suzy Clapp and goalkeeper Amanda Billington.

The trio played together for Horsham in West Sussex 20 years ago.

Combes also got to play with team members she had played with when she represented the Midlands including Emma Olifent, Kat Stockford, Jemma Jones, Lorna Burns, and Caz McCabe.

Combes will soon move up an age division as she is one year off the next category.

“Trials are coming up in November for the Euros, I plan on attending.”

The Master’s World cup is a bi-annual event, with the Euros being played in the opposite year.

Combes is grateful to Active Today who have provided her with a year’s free gym membership under a grant that supports international athletes.

The costs incurred by the master’s athletes to represent their country means that it can be a financial struggle for players to wear the England shirt and players have bowed out.

“The support from family and friends back home was fantastic,” said Combes.

“I came home to an excited group of kids at the school I work who watched the final on youtube.”