The 2023/24 season for South East Hockey Masters has been a great year of change. Following the setup of the eight areas and the evolution in the eligibility criteria, we have rolled out several initiatives in the South East Masters set-up to help us align and develop the Master offering. These include;

• South East Masters Selection Policy
• Centralised Pitchero platform to manage the database of registered players and associated payments related to Masters hockey
• Formed a Masters committee with representatives from each of the counties that make up South East Hockey
• Setup and facilitated structured assessment sessions earlier in the season to allow for more time for selected squads to prepare for tournaments
• Requested expressions of interest from SE clubs on setting up and facilitating Masters leagues in the future.

Other than the above, this season's primary focus has been the representative sides participating in the national tournaments for each of the eight areas. A special thanks to Kay Parsons and all the team Managers and Coaches who have made this possible.

We successfully hosted three events this year: the WO35s at Marden, the WO40s at Folkestone, and the WO60s at Guildford. Feedback on all these events has been highly positive. Thank you to all of those involved in these clubs.

The South East has represented itself and performed well in terms of results. The final results are as follows;

• WO35s - Marden HC, 11/12 May - 3rd
• WO40s - Folkestone HC, 18/19 May - 6th
• WO45s - Bournemouth HC, 11/12 May - 8th
• WO50s - Surbiton HC, 18/19 May - 1st
• WO55s - Basingstoke HC, 11/12 May - 7th
• WO60s - Guildford HC, 1/2 June - 3rd
• WO65s - Bristol Uni, 18/19 May - 7th

• MO35s - Wakefield HC, 11/12 May - 5th
• MO40s - Timperley HC, 8/9 June - 4th
• MO45s - Bedford HC, 18/19 May - 4th
• MO50s - Wakefield HC, 8/9 June - 4th
• MO55s - Southgate HC, 18/19 May - 1st
• MO60s - Stourport HC, 8/9 June - 3rd
• MO65s - Richmond HC, 15/16 June - 1st
• MO70s - Cambridge City HC, 8/9 June - 6th
• MO75 - (Combined SC/LDN/SE side) Sheffield HC, 15/16 June - 2nd

Thanks to everyone who has participated in Masters Hockey this season. We want to build on this season's successes and win more gold medals across each age group. If there are people you know who should be involved, get promoted and get them to sign up! Also, look out for promotional banners that will be located in the region in the not-too-distant future!

Please have a great summer break, and I look forward to seeing you for the next Masters Season!