This is the first time a men’s masters tournament has been held in Parkes.

More than 300 players in 23 teams from across the state will play 46 games over Friday and Saturday before the finals are played on Sunday.

Turf 1 (Stephen Davies Field) and Turf 2 (Mariah Williams Field) of the Parkes Hockey Complex will be utilised for the duration of the tournament.

NSW Men's Masters secretary Glenn Crowhurst said the competition is actually the state championships.

“From these games, teams will be selected to play in the nationals at Lismore in September and October,” he said.

“Parkes has one team competing and will also help fill a couple of other teams.”

Formerly known as veterans or vets hockey, masters hockey is played in dedicated age groups, starting at 35+ age group, with the grades progressing in five year increments up to Over 75s.

Glenn said the committee is glad to be bringing the tournament to a country venue.

“We like to be able to spread it around the state,” he said.

“It’s important to give everyone an opportunity to host and also watch masters hockey. We’ve just had the 65s and 35s in the Illawarra and the championship series for 40s and 45s will be held in Newcastle in June.”

Parkes will play their first game against Inverell at 12pm on Friday before taking on Macarthur 2 at 6pm.

On Saturday Parkes will play New England at 10am and Newcastle 2 at 5pm.

The Parkes players either currently live in town or are ex-locals, and all but one of them were born in Parkes.

The team includes Mark Swan, Stewart Tanswell, Graeme Tanswell, Darryle Macdonald, Rowan Macdonald, Glenn Johnston, Andrew Rice, Nick Venables, Wayne Jackson, Angus Arndell, Paul Barrett, Jeff Stibbard, Dean Powter and Andrew Weaver, Sharon Dixon (physio) and Garry Phipps (strapper). 

Parkes Hockey Incorporated and Hockey NSW successfully hosted the Southern Women's Masters Hockey Tournament in July last year.