Field Hockey

Field Hockey

Field hockey originated in England in the mid-19th century, though similar stick-and-ball games date back thousands of years in ancient civilizations. The modern game was formalized with standardized rules in 1861 when the first hockey club was established in London.

Field hockey is played between two teams of 11 players each, who use curved sticks to hit a small, hard ball with the goal of scoring by sending it into the opposing team’s net.

Players must rely on skill, speed, and teamwork, and the team with the most goals at the end of the match wins.

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Age categories

Competitive Men/Women: 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+
Social Men/Women: 35+, 45+, 55+

The age category you will compete in for Hockey will be determined as at 31 December of the year of the event. For team sports, the category you compete in is based on the age of the youngest team member. For example, if your youngest team member is 39 during Games time but has turned 40 by 31 December, you would compete in the 40+ age category.

Grade definitions

A Grade – Competitive: This elite grade is for teams with at least three players with international or national experience. The other team members are expected to be at a state/ province/ elite club player level.

B Grade – Recreational/Social: This grade is for those players who participate in lower grade leagues and for social and casual players.

A player can only participate in one team in the hockey competition.

Events and disciplines

11 a side:
A Grade – Competitive
B Grade – Social

5 a side:
B Grade – Social

“The IMGA doesn’t allow building new venues and encourages the host cities to use existing facilities to keep the costs lower. Therefore, all sport information is subject to changes depending on the venues available.”

Athlete Comments & Reviews

“It’s not only about winning”

“I like competitive activities, I don’t have to win all the time. My wife is the same.”

“I do many sports so I can choose what my body is capable of”

“You have to keep moving, I had a new start after my new hips at 60-61 so I’ve got another 15 years at least hopefully. Luckily I do a lot of sailing as well, and swimming. So there are other sports if I can’t play tennis any longer but I love to keep going for as long as possible.”

“Sport helps mentally and physically”

“Sport is so important, because it keeps you sharp. I don’t just mean physically but mentally as well. Everybody gets stressed by different things in their life and just being able to get out there and exercise, getting rid of a little bit of that tension can help you mentally as well physically.”

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