Pre-Season kicks off

Tuesday saw the return of Veterans hockey to Sydney, with the Sydney Veterans Hockey Association kicking off their 2011 pre-season competition.

All teams, regardless of whether they win or lose in the first week will play three matches, allowing them to select sides for the upcoming season.

Like many of us, my last match was late last year, when I competed in the National Championships.  Since then, my stick bag has stayed in the cupboard, untouched and ignored.  In fact, when I went to grab it for my match, I actually had to dust it!

Turning up at the ground, catching up with old mates, meeting the new "youngsters" who have joined our squad and particularly the beer afterwards in the car park all made me remember why I continue to love playing hockey, even though my body currently feels as though I have been used as a rodeo clown.

My right Achilles is in agony, a common ailment exaggerated by the fact that I forgot my orthotics last night, my hamstrings feel like guitar strings, and my lower back is stiff as a board.  Having an office at the top of a flight of stairs makes the process of getting a cup of coffee painful, and I am eternally glad no one is around with a camera to capture my crab like stance as I descend the stairs.

But will I be back, hell yes.  Do I intend to get fit this year, hell yes.  Will I actually get fit this year, sadly, probably not.

Bring on the 2011 Veterans Hockey season!