MINEHEAD hockey player Ashley Tisshaw has returned from New Zealand where he represented England in the Over-55 IMC category of the 2024 Masters World Cup.

The competition was held at the North Harbour Hockey complex in Auckland, with five water-based pitches built around a central clubhouse and changing facility with capacity for hundreds of spectators to watch the matches on all pitches.

The central Sports village provided competitors with shade, food, hockey equipment shops, ice baths, physio and medical services throughout the event.

The Opening Ceremony involved a haka by the host teams to the other 2200 competitors from 27 countries gathered,and a Maori blessing to everyone for fair play and sportsmanship.

Matches were played for over 12 hours a day for the first eight days, with semi-finals and Finals being played on the last Friday and Saturday of the competition.

Tisshaw's England team played six matches, scoring 24 goals and conceding one; winning their World Cup Final against Australia 4-1.

The whole event was brilliantly organized with officials travelling from all round the World, and global reporting via TVNZ, live-streamed matches, and social media channels. England had teams in all 12 age categories with other Gold Medals for Men's and Women's Over 60’s, Mens and Women's Over 55-A.