FRESH from a Most Valuable Player award in his first Test for Australia, Wauchope’s Masters hockey player, Russell Clucas has now set his sights on representing NSW in the National Veterans Championships in Darwin.

Clucas said he was extremely proud to gain selection in the Australian team and to pick up the prestigious award.

“To play for Australia at any level is a privilege but to score a goal in your first Test and take out the MVP award is just something else,” Clucas admitted.

“I came off after my first test and said to my wife Kim ‘that I’d just scored a goal playing for Australia’ … it was pretty exciting stuff.

“As well as playing the three Test Trans Tasman series, we also played a number of trial and practice games once we arrived in New Zealand.

“The Test series was played on consecutive days and we ended up winning all three tests. The first two were only decided in extra time while we won the third game quite convincingly in the finish.

“The Over 55s team was one of just three teams to go through the Trans Tasman competition undefeated.

“And it was the first time in Trans Tasman series history that a visiting side had taken home the overall trophy. From the eight teams Australia won 5-3 over the 24 game series.”

An inside forward or striker, Clucas said the competitive nature of all players was very strong with a number of ex-Olympians representing both countries.

And rather than sit back to reflect on his selection in the Australian team, the 50-year hockey veteran is already scheduled to compete with the NSW team in the National Veterans Championships later this month.

“This will be my 12th year in the NSW team in a number of age categories,” he said.

“The championships pit the best players of your age group from each state against each other and it is a very fierce rivalry.

“NSW is currently ranked number one in the country and we have set the benchmark for the last four or five years in all levels of veterans hockey.

“The Over 55s team won this event last year and were runners-up the previous year.”

Locally Clucas still competes in the B grade competition with the occasional appearance in A grade.

“The enjoyment for me at the local level is in coaching and mentoring younger players and to encourage older players to continually improve their skills and fitness levels no matter the reason behind them playing,” he said.