2021 Queensland Hockey Women’s Masters Championships to light up Warwick

The Queensland’s Women’s Masters titles will see almost 700 of the state’s elite hockey players descend on the Rose City for one of the sport’s biggest post-COVID carnivals.

The 2021 Queensland Hockey Women’s Masters Championships will bring the state titles back to Warwick for the first time in years. Picture: Renee Albrecht / News Regional Media

One of the state’s biggest hockey championships will make its post-COVID comeback here in the Rose City, with almost 700 elite athletes to battle it out for the title.

The 2021 Queensland Hockey Women’s Masters Championships will be played at the Warwick Hockey Association’s Queens Park grounds from Thursday, June 10 – Sunday, June 13.

With 46 teams from across the state to compete across six divisions, Warwick association president Carly Hansen said the event would bring at least 1000 visitors to the Rose City.

“We were supposed to have it last year, but due to COVID it was postponed, so we were lucky enough to be offered it again,” Hansen said.

“We’ve had the Women’s Masters here before, and we also had the U15s Boys’ State Championships two years ago. We have an Olympic-quality turf field, so we’re lucky that having one is enough to get us certain championships.”

The first day of action on Thursday will consist of trials for the Masters state representative team, with the state championships to run for the remainder of the weekend.

Caitlin Schnitzerling and Celene Keleher in women's Super League hockey action at Queens Park. Picture: Warwick Daily News

Hansen said Warwick’s home side will compete for the top spot in Division 5.

“Forty-six teams of Masters women is amazing for Queensland, it shows how strong Masters sport is in (the state) … and is a testament to sport for adults as well,” she said.

“A lot of associations last year didn’t have a lot of competition, but almost all of them are back again and we’re looking forward to finally being able to play against other clubs.

“I’m not sure the ladies are so much craving the cold weather, and hopefully it stays as it has been the past couple of weeks … but it adds to the excitement, and you certainly know you’re alive!”

Match play will run from 7am – 10pm each day on the main turf field, and 7am – 5.30pm on the five grass fields.

The event is open to spectators across all days of competition. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Carly Hansen on 0431 817 922.

Originally published as 2021 Queensland Hockey Women’s Masters Championships to light up Warwick