South Australian success at Masters World Cup
Published Thu 06 Aug 2026
BRONZE medals are coming back to South Australia after successes at the 2026 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup in the Netherlands.
North East’s Ian Wishart helped Australia to bronze in the Men’s Over 50 competition, beating Germany 2-0 in the third-placed playoff.
His team went unbeaten in their first pool games before beating New Zealand 3-0 in a quarter final.
However, they were unsuccessful in the semi-final, losing out to the host nation 1-0.
St Peter’s Old Collegians’ Georgia Phillips joined the Women’s Over 50 team as an assistant coach, which also claimed bronze.
The Aussies beat Belgium, Ireland and Wales early in the competition, before defeating Spain 3-1 in a quarter final.
Yet, fell to Argentina to set up a clash with New Zealand for the bronze medal, which they won 6-2.
Phillips said being able to coach team at a World Cup was a ‘dream come true’.
“I love coaching masters hockey - and to coach a national masters team at a World Cup in Europe is a dream come true,” she said.
“To play against some of the best teams in the world - and to learn from our experienced players has been incredible. The people who play masters hockey really love the sport.
“To help coach a team to a Bronze Medal on the World Stage is a wonderful feeling. It means we really gelled as a team and worked so well to deliver on the game plan.”
Phillips added the win over New Zealand was built around a clear game plan.
“We got ahead quickly, scoring very early in the first quarter. The Kiwis leveled with us early in the second quarter, but we responded quickly,” she said.
“We finished the game 6-2 - a clear domination and execution of a game plan that saw ultimate success.”
Phillips said being able to experience hockey in the Netherlands was fantastic.
“Being around hockey in the Netherlands has been wonderful - everyone plays - or has a child that plays hockey,” she said.
In the officials’ space, Sarah Stroeher also represented in Rotterdam as an assistant technical delegate, a huge achievement.
