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Whether it’s our lack of time, our flagging fitness or the worrying potential for injury, most of us are less inclined to participate in competitive sport as we age. As for representing the country – for many that’s a dream long farewelled. Not for Sue Dewes.
In May this year, aged over 55, Sue revived her dream of playing representative sport by being selected for, and playing in, the bi-annual Trans-Tasman Masters Hockey Tournament in the 55-60 age group. The tournament was held in Whangarei following the World Masters Games.
Her rapid ride to becoming a national rep had begun just two years earlier when she dusted off her old stick, cast aside her doubts and hesitations and joined the Katikati hockey club.
Nearly 40 years had passed since her last game, at high school, and while she fondly remembered her hockey days, techniques and rules had changed a lot since the 1970s. Returning to club hockey in her mid-50s had taken courage and commitment, especially joining a team of capable women half her age and younger.
Concerns about fitness, strength and those niggling injuries she had incurred over the years were just some of her worries, and with hockey now played on turf rather than grass, it had become a much faster game.
“I was the new ‘older’ kid on block and was absolutely petrified that whole first season because I knew I had a long way to go. Hockey is hard and fast with lots of running and lots of skill involved. But I love the game and feel invigorated by the exercise. It keeps me fit and gets me out of the clinic.”
Balancing work and training
Sue is a beauty therapist and owns Tranquillo Beauty Clinic in Tauranga. Making the Trans-Tasman team last year meant carefully balancing her time at the salon with a demanding fitness and training regime to bring her skill level up to the standard of other team members, many of whom had played continuously throughout their adult lives.
Her coach saw Sue’s potential, especially her speed, and assigned her exercises to work on stick and ball skills at home – for her role as striker, she needed to be quick, agile and resourceful to create goal opportunities.
“That’s what I really enjoy. It’s not just about getting out there and having a run, you have to really think about your team, and what your game plan is and your role in the team. In the tournament I didn’t get any goals myself but did help set them up.”
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Tranquillo Beauty Clinic
76a Grey Street, Tauranga City Centre
T: 07 578 1111
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