Report on WGMA European Trophy tournament
at Braxgata H.C. Boom, Belgium
2nd - 5th June 2010
The above tournament was organised by WGMA as a more relaxed Grand Masters event in advance of our main event this year, the Grand Masters Hockey World Cup in Cape Town in September. Nineteen teams took part in three age groups, 60+, 65+ and 70+ with almost 300 players and 150 partners and supporters.
It had been decided to hold the tournament in Belgium to encourage a new country to become involved in a WGMA event and were most impressed with the first-class, modern facilities of the Braxgata club, with its three pitches - two water-based and one sand-based - and the spacious clubhouse (opened in 2009) with bar, restaurant and multi-purpose conference rooms. The friendliness and efficiency of their president, Erik Gysels, and his staff made all participants really feel at home.
Everyone was full of praise for the whole organisation of the tournament and agreed that Braxgata, with its superb facilities has set a benchmark for future WGMA tournaments. We were fortunate to have wonderful, sunny weather for the whole period of the tournament, which added to everyone's enjoyment and we look forward to staging more WGMA events at Braxgata. We shall certainly consider the club as a strong contender for future European and World Cup events.
On the field England (LX Club) narrowly defeated Netherlands (De Zestigplussers) in the Over 60 final, and a 2-1 win over the Dutch in their final match gave England the Over 65 trophy. England completed a clean sweep when their Over 70 team drew with Germany in the final match to win on goal difference by a single goal.
All in all, a great event giving all teams, national and non-national, the opportunity to play against each other in a spirit of friendliness, apart from it giving teams match practice for the forthcoming GM World Cup in Cape Town.
NOTE : A selection of photos can be seen in the Photo Gallery, but a more comprehensive set of photos is available in De Zestigplussers website, www.dezestigplussers.nl
Since August 2010, Gallery includes team photos!
Peter Child,
WGMA President
12th June 2010
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WGMA Grand Masters European Trophy
2nd – 5th June, 2010
Whilst Ashley Jackson, Barry Middleton(ENG), Simon Child (yes, the other), Simon Gougnard (BEL), Julia Müller (GER), Teun de Nooijer and Taeke Taekema (NED) et al are causing havoc in the Dutch Top hockey league, the committee has been very active in giving a final touch to the organisation of our Tournament.
This event will no doubt be a highlight in the WGMA calendar. One of our key values is certainly the coming together of many hockey players in a spirit of friendship and fair play.
There are altogether 19 teams taking part , coming from England, Scotland, Wales, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Alliance International H.C., a mixture of players from different nations.
Games will be played in 3 age groups : Over 60, Over 65 and over 70.
The Braxgata Club
Braxgata HC was founded by a group of university students in 1980. Some 15 years later, in 1994, the club members decided on starting a youth program. Today, another 15 years later, the club counts more than 850 members, playing at the highest level in every youth and senior category in the Belgian Hockey competition. Twenty of their girls and boys are selected for various national teams in the -15, -16, -18 and -21 categories.
In 2004 the club moved to the present location in Boom, within the boundaries of the Recreational Park “De Schorre” in the province of Antwerp. For the tournament matches two excellent water pitches and one semi-sanded pitch are available, plus a smaller pitch for training purposes.
Since 2006 Braxgata became the training centre of the Belgian National teams. In 2007 the club hosted the Champions Challenge. In 2008 the Belgian men’s team prepared for the Beijing Olympics at our premises. In 2009 the European Hockey Federation awarded Braxgata HC the title of "European Hockey Club of the Year 2008".
Early in 2009 Braxgata opened a new magnificent clubhouse, the Braxhouse, with many useful facilities, including seven multipurpose meeting rooms.
At the Braxhouse
Daily service
The Braxhouse has a great reputation for its indoor and outdoor facilities. The bar and catering service offers a great choice of first-class food and beverages.
Steve and his staff will be pleased to serve various warm and cold “bites” all day, as well as their beers, wines and other drinks. Snacks will be served till around 16.00 hrs on Friday in order to allow the staff to prepare for the evening event. We have arranged for a selling point for coupons for the food and beverages during the tournament.
Programme and Time ScheduleThis event will no doubt be a highlight in the WGMA calendar. One of our key values is certainly the coming together of many hockey players in a spirit of friendship and fair play.
There are altogether 19 teams taking part , coming from England, Scotland, Wales, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Alliance International H.C., a mixture of players from different nations.
Games will be played in 3 age groups : Over 60, Over 65 and over 70.
The Braxgata Club
Braxgata HC was founded by a group of university students in 1980. Some 15 years later, in 1994, the club members decided on starting a youth program. Today, another 15 years later, the club counts more than 850 members, playing at the highest level in every youth and senior category in the Belgian Hockey competition. Twenty of their girls and boys are selected for various national teams in the -15, -16, -18 and -21 categories.
In 2004 the club moved to the present location in Boom, within the boundaries of the Recreational Park “De Schorre” in the province of Antwerp. For the tournament matches two excellent water pitches and one semi-sanded pitch are available, plus a smaller pitch for training purposes.
Since 2006 Braxgata became the training centre of the Belgian National teams. In 2007 the club hosted the Champions Challenge. In 2008 the Belgian men’s team prepared for the Beijing Olympics at our premises. In 2009 the European Hockey Federation awarded Braxgata HC the title of "European Hockey Club of the Year 2008".
Early in 2009 Braxgata opened a new magnificent clubhouse, the Braxhouse, with many useful facilities, including seven multipurpose meeting rooms.
At the Braxhouse
Daily service
The Braxhouse has a great reputation for its indoor and outdoor facilities. The bar and catering service offers a great choice of first-class food and beverages.
Steve and his staff will be pleased to serve various warm and cold “bites” all day, as well as their beers, wines and other drinks. Snacks will be served till around 16.00 hrs on Friday in order to allow the staff to prepare for the evening event. We have arranged for a selling point for coupons for the food and beverages during the tournament.
Wednesday, 2nd June Friday 4th June
(Arrival day and Opening) (Match day 2)
13.00 – 16.00 hours 09.00 – 18.00 hours
Registering at the Braxhouse Matches at pitches 1, 2 and 3
Selling point for the coupons for
the daily food & beverages
13.00 – 17.00 hours 18.30 hours
Hockey practice at pitches The “Royal Buffet” at the Braxhouse
1, 2 and 3
15.00 hours Saturday 5th June
raining umpires at pitch 4 (Match day 3 and Closing)
Briefing umpires at the Braxhouse 09.00- 13.30 hours
Matches at pitches 1, 2 and 3
16.00 hours 14.00 hours
Briefing Team Managers Official Prize-giving and
Closing Ceremony
17.30 hours
Official Opening Ceremony of the
Tournament .
Welcome Drinks
sponsored by courtesy of the Braxgata H.C.
18.00 – 20.00 hours
Hockey practice/free training at pitches
1, 2, 3 & 4
Thursday 3rd June
(Match day 1)
09.00 – 18.00 hours
Matches at pitches 1, 2 and 3
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BRAXHOUSE OPENING TIMES:
Wednesday from 12.00 – 23.00 hrs
Thursday, Friday from 08.00 – 23.00 hrs
Saturday Final day 08.00 - 17.00 hrs
On behalf of the committee and their staff we wish all participants a very pleasant preparation and we are very much looking forward to meeting up soon at the Braxhouse.
In case urgent contact is necessary, please mail: Wim van Noortwijk : Info@wfnbeheer.nl
Bernard Verbunt
Vice President WGMA and your TC
Vice President WGMA and your TC
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Grand Masters European Trophy 2010
at the BRAXGATA HC
Boom (Belgium)
2nd – 5th June 2010.
NEWS BULLETIN No. 2, 31st March 2010
The Organisation committee is very happy to provide you with the following information.
First of all we are proud to present the complete Officials list of the committee members.
You’ll be very pleased to note that hockey is indeed a very modern sport. We are ahead of
many other sports organisations in that we are proving that a big event can be perfectly
organised by people with different nationalities. Belgians and Dutchmen working closely and
in excellent atmosphere together.
First of all we are proud to present the complete Officials list of the committee members.
You’ll be very pleased to note that hockey is indeed a very modern sport. We are ahead of
many other sports organisations in that we are proving that a big event can be perfectly
organised by people with different nationalities. Belgians and Dutchmen working closely and
in excellent atmosphere together.
Jean-Claude LeClef Chairman
Erik Gysels Vice Chairman
Bernard Verbunt WGMA TC
Wim van Noortwijk WGMA TD
ORGANISATION BRAXGATA HC
Eric Pirenne
Katrine Noels
Fred van Cautenberg
HOCKEY TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
Bernard Verbunt Tournament Coördinator (TC)
Wim van Noortwijk Tournament Director (TD)
Frank van ’t Hek Tournament Executive (TE)
Bert van Gils Umpire Manager (UM)
Willem van Groendendijk Tournament Secretary (TS)
• Tournament Programme booklet
In this booklet you’ll be able to find all details important to you during this
In this booklet you’ll be able to find all details important to you during this
tournament.
prepare the booklet in time.
• Briefings
There will be briefings for the team managers and captains as well as the umpires in offices available to the organisation. These briefings are planned on the 2nd of June and times will be communicated in the next bulletin.
• Catering (Food & Beverages)
Tasty warm and cold food will be served during the day at and around the Clubhouse.Various Belgian beers, wines and other drinks will be served at the bar.
You’ll be happy to enjoy the typical Belgian way of life!
Bottled water will be available at the pitches free of charge.
• The Get-together on Friday evening June the 4th at the Braxhouse
It will indeed be an outstanding affair..
The Braxhouse offers an excellent environment, where you will be able to enjoy therich Belgian “BBQ cuisine” . Unwind after the games at the Braxhouse bar & lounge
with a drink, the typical Belgian beers, wines and other drinks and hot and cold food
at a very reasonable price.
If you’ll take the trouble to visit their Website: www.braxhouse.be you’ll be agreeablysurprised, and it has a wide photo gallery. A large marquee will be in place to receive
you in case of rainy weather.
• Training facilities and changing rooms
14.00 P.M. In due time we shall communicate a practice schedule on the day of your
arrival. We request you kindly to communicate to us your time of arrival and wishes in
that respect. During the tournament there is a small pitch available for practice.
There are 8 changing rooms for the teams and in the next newsletter we shall explain
how these will be allocated.
• Tournament Offices
During the tournament we shall have two offices at our disposal. We’ll have acommunication system for the publication of the match results and direct
communication with the first aid and medics will be in place.
• Parking
There is a large parking space available at the Ground. Parking is free, but a certainnumber of spaces will be reserved for members of the medical staff and the
organisation. We’ll let you know more in due time.
• Medical & First Aid
During the Tournament a medical post will be staffed continuously by fully qualified nurses and a medical doctor. A so called AED will be at their service.
Attached for your information is a photo giving a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the Braxgata Club’s facilities.
Our 3rd Newsletter will come out by the 3rd week of April.
We wish you all pleasant and possibly sunny Easter holidays.
Our very best regards,
Bernard Verbunt
Vice President WGMA and your TC.
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1st GRAND MASTERS EUROPEAN TROPHY
BOOM, near ANTWERP, BELGIUM
2nd – 5th JUNE 2010
Invitation and Advance Information
WGMA would like to invite all interested 60 plus veterans teams to participate in the
1st GRAND MASTERS EUROPEAN TROPHY tournament to be held at Braxgata Hockey Club at Boom, near Antwerp in Belgium from 2nd - 5th June 2010. The Belgian organising committee will be responsible for managing the event and liaising with team managers. Training and the welcome evening will be on 2nd June and the first matches will start the following day.
The WGMA Veterans Pools will be organised as follows:
- OVER 60
Tournament for men aged sixty years or over (born 1950 or earlier – teams may include five players born in 1953 or earlier) :
- OVER 65
Tournament for men aged 65 years or over (born in 1945 or earlier) :
- OVER 70
Tournament for men aged 70 years or over (born in 1940 or earlier).
PLEASE NOTE :
In the Over 60 category teams will be allowed up to five players over 57 in their squad, no more than three of whom may be on the field at any one time.
This has been introduced so that some younger players can experience Grand Masters hockey before they qualify for their national squads and also to allow members who have difficulty in raising a full team at Over 60 the opportunity to compete with other WGMA members.
This tournament will be staged under the authority of WGMA and the matches and competitions will be played in accordance with the currently approved WGMA Regulations (September 15th, 2008).
Any teams interested in participating, please contact one of the following (if possible no later than 30th November), and you will be sent a Registration form :
Adrian Stephenson – stephenson@lennardqap.co.uk
Peter Child - peterchild@onlinehome.de
The Registration Fee will be 600 Euro per team, payable into an account presented in due time by the organisation committee treasurer.
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Please visit the website in the forthcoming months for more specific information.
We hope that you will be able to support this tournament by entering teams in as many categories as possible
Kind regards,
Peter Child WGMA President
Bernard Verbunt WGMA Vice-President
Adrian Stephenson WGMA Hon. Secretary
Date : 25nd October 2009
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