Gold was the theme going around for the Australian Hockey Masters who competed at the 2019 Trans Tasman Series.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Particularly for Parkes star duo Denise Gersbach and Maureen Massey.
On the Gold Coast, with a gold medal in one hand and a gold medal in another, the Green and Gold finished up the tournament in early May against New Zealand as overall victors.
And our pair, well they're pretty stoked about it.
Massey was a member of Australia's first Over 65s Trans Tasman women's side and Gersbach, the women's over 45s - and both won their three-test series.
The women's 45s won their first match 2-1 against our international neighbours, drew their second match 0-all and won their third match 2-1.
The women's 65s, of which Massey was the goal keeper, drew 1-all in the first game and won 2-1 in the second and third matches.
This year's biennial series was a rather comprehensive victory for Australia, where it won all its men's series (over 35s to 65s) and all the women's except for the over 55s age group.
"The Trans Tasman tournament was another hockey experience that I am extremely proud to have been part of," Massey said.
"Even more so because I was the goalkeeper for the inaugural Over 65 years Australian Women's Hockey team.
"It was the first time this age division had participated in an international event. Previously it only went up to over 60s."
Their first win is something Massey is extremely proud of.
2019 marks the third Trans Tasman tournament Massey has represented Australia - and she now has two gold medals to show for it.
She competed in the Auckland series in 2013 and in Melbourne in 2015, where she won gold in a penalty shootout.
This year was Gersbach's second time wearing the green and gold uniform in the series.
She travelled to New Zealand in 2017 where they were defeated and players had to wait two years for a rematch.
"It was very nice to reverse the result this series," Gersbach said.
"I had a great bunch of team-mates and had a couple of close friends playing with me in my team, so to share the victory with them was fantastic.
"It was the first time Maureen and I had both played Trans Tasman at the same time so to watch her win with her 65s team was also special."
Massey said being part of the 65s side was a huge honour.
"The fitness of this age group - a couple of ladies are over 70 years old - is nothing short of incredible," she said.
"It's not just a hit and giggle game, it's still extremely competitive.
"The expected fitness program prior to the tournament is very intense."
The pair is now turning their focus to the NSW Masters team trials on June 15 at Newcastle.
NSW selection will send them to the Australian Masters Championships at the Gold Coast at the end of September, from which Australian teams will be chosen for next year's Masters World Cup.
"At my age, it's one goal at a time and that is the Gold Coast," Massey said.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that have come my way."
Gersbach said she's also busy preparing for the state championships in Bathurst with her Parkes team mates.
"We are keen to do well in the over 40s division this year," she said.
The Trans Tasman Series is held every two years between New Zealand and Australia, with the venues alternating between the two countries.