Denise has been selected in the Australian 40s Wattles team to compete in the 2016 Masters World Cup in Canberra, where she will be joined by Maureen Massey who was selected in the Over 60s Wattles.

The FIH Masters World Cup will be held at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra from March 29 to April 6, and will see Masters teams from across the globe come together for an exciting week of hockey.

It is Denise’s first selection in an Australian side while Maureen will be representing the Green and Gold for the fourth time.

Selected as a striker from performances at the Nationals which were held in Brisbane in October last year, Denise is hopeful of a good performance. 

“Hopefully I will play well in Canberra,” Denise said.

“I have a very heavy training and fitness schedule leading up to the tournament. 

“Luckily Parkes Premier League coach Aaron Huppatz has offered to assist me with my fitness and holding stick training sessions.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to wear the green and gold and to compete at this level of competition.

“It should be a great experience,” she said.

The Wattles are the No 2 Australian 40s team and as host nation, Australia were able to also enter Wattles in the 50s and 60s divisions too.

More than 40s teams are competing at World Cup include Australia, England, New Zealand, USA, Wales and the Australia Wattles.

Graham Wakefield from Queensland was named coach of the 40s Wattles after enjoying great success with state teams at Masters level.

The Wattles were selected from shadow players on the cusp of being selected for the Australian No 1 team which was also selected at the Nationals.

Arriving in Canberra on March 26, the Wattles will have two days of training before the tournament commences on March 29.