Welcome to our Spirit Of Masters over sixties men's section which we call Thistles Sixties Plus. This STMHC appointed sub-committee covers all age divisions from over sixty upwards (60, 65, 68, 70, 75 to infinity and beyond).
Thistles Sixties Plus is open to all standards of player and we enter teams in what I'll, for convenience, refer to as Grade 1, 2 and 3 events. Age limits usually apply and I've indicated how this affects the selection or allocation of players to squads.
1a. WMH recognised tournaments
(typically World and European Spirit of Masters Cups, formerly Tournament Trophy)
2017 European Tournament Trophy (Glasgow) - 3rd
2018 World Tournament Trophy (Barcelona) - 2nd
2019 European Tournament Trophy (Antwerp) - 4th
1b. National equivalent tournaments
(typically Four Nations and potential Celtic Cup tournaments)
2019 Home Nations Tournament Trophy - 2nd
Strict over 60/65/70 etc. age limits apply to Grade 1 tournaments, based on age at the end of the year of the tournament.
2. Competitive Tournaments
(typically Tilburg (Holland) and Bra (Italy) where other countries send national teams for training and squad selection.
2019 Tilburg over 65s - 1st
Some flexibility occurs in terms of age qualification with more of a "Nelson's eye" to an odd under age player.
3. Social Tournaments
Multiple events such as Lille in France, Dragons in Swansea and Reivers in Durham where regional and national touring teams (like Thistles) mix in a slightly less demanding format. Age limits tend to be flexible and I myself started as what I thought was a spritely 58 year old.
Events are open to all Thistles who apply; selection decisions are made for the higher grades however the underlying Thistles' ethos is a sense of fairness in that all members should have competitive opportunities where desired. Coordination is also made with Scottish Masters Hockey and their full-international team needs. In 2019 this frequently allowed us to send two teams which creates interesting rivalry on pitch and excellent sociability off. This sociability is a critical aim of and part of the great success of Thistles.
Training is available most months with understanding of different needs and again is done in conjunction with the requirement of the international squads. We are also hoping to have additional opportunities at District level.
So if Uncle Doc or Auntie Doris is over sixty and playing hockey then Thistles Sixties Plus is reaching out to you - after all a wee Doc and Doris is just what we need.
Ian McCreath
Chair - Thistles Sixties Plus