U.S. Masters Athletes Prepared for Competition at WMH World Cup Auckland

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The 2024 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup Auckland kicks off this week in Auckland, New Zealand. Six U.S. Masters Teams will journey across the world to represent their country in this competitive event.

The action in Auckland will feature the O-45, O-50, O-55 and O-60 Men and Women; in addition to the  O-65 and O-70 Women. USA will be represented in the O-45 Men, O-55 Men, O-60 Men, O-50 Women, O-60 Women, and O-65 Women divisions.

The rosters were named back in July, but the process for selection began in February. Regional training camps and a selection event were held to prepare a solid roster for this international event.

This diverse group made up of athletes from all over the country has been training for this moment and is excited to finally compete on the international stage. Back in October, the U.S. O-55 Men’s Masters Team held a training weekend at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. Muhammad (Asim) Siddiqui (Arlington, Va.), who will be playing with the O-55 Men, previously played at the 2018 World Cup in Barcelona, Spain; 2019 European Cup in Krefeld, Germany; and 2022 World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.

Siqqiqui is excited to head to Auckland to participate in yet another Masters tournament.

“[I am] looking forward to playing a good hockey tournament,” said Siddiqui. ““Excited to play a good tournament and see my old friends.”

Ian Wagge (Scarborough, Maine), a member of the O-60 Men, has also been around the international Masters circuit for years. In 2017, he played in the MWC Indoor World Cup in Germany and has since participated in the 2022 MWH World Cup Cape Town, 2024 WMH Indoor World Cup Nottingham, and more.

Wagge is also a Level III certified coach, and currently is an assistant coach at Bates College. He uses this unique position to prep by training with the college team, in addition to playing whenever he gets the opportunity.

“[I] watched Masters hockey grow from two age groups to over eight, and now both men and women,” said Wagge. “[Masters] provides an opportunity to keep fit, make new friends, visit new places, and just enhances your quality of life.”

On the women’s side, O-50 athlete Melissa Emery (Big Sky, Mont.) also brings a plethora of experience. She began at the 2016 World Cup in Canberra, Australia, where in a game against New Zealand was named the Player of the Match. Since then, she has participated in the 2018 World Cup in Spain, 2019 Indoor World Cup in Hong Kong, 2022 World Cup in Cape Town, and 2023 Pan Am Continental Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Emery is serious about keeping up her fitness in anticipation of the competition in Auckland, including running a 50K mountain race this past September. She also participated in several tournaments this summer and is looking forward to new experiences New Zealand.

“New country, new opponents” commented Emery.

Alternatively, this will be the first WMH event for O-60 women’s athlete Christine Paradis (Hadley, Mass.). Paradis is a former field hockey and lacrosse coach at Amherst, who retired from coaching following the 2022 lacrosse season.

“[I am looking forward to] playing the sport I love with new and old friends, good competition, representing USA, and traveling to New Zealand and exploring a beautiful country I have never visited!” said Paradis.

Member of the O-65 women’s squad Laura Darling (Moorestown, N.J.) added more context to the training aspect of Masters field hockey. “At our age being a member of a Masters team, all working for a common goal, is exciting and rewarding,” said Darling. “Training would be similar to any athlete working toward an elite fitness goal (of course taking consideration for our age handicap).... cardio, strength training. Healthy lifestyle, good sleep, positive mental mindfulness. Lots of stretching and dynamic movements.”

For more information on the WMH World Cup Auckland, visit the event page.