Merv Goodridge and Doug Dawson Cup

Background

In October 2021, the Board of Sydney Masters Hockey Association and the Committee of ACT Masters Hockey, agreed to establish an annual Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge between Canberra Masters and Sydney Masters teams.

The inaugural Challenge would be held in Canberra (at the ACT State Hockey Centre) on Sunday 12 December 2021 and involve 4 teams each (Masters Over 40’s), Senior Masters (Over 50’s), Grand Masters (Over 60’s) and Legends (Over 67).

In recognition of two of the foundation members of Sydney Masters Hockey and ACT Masters Hockey, it was agreed that the Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge trophy would be named The Merv Goodridge and Doug Dawson Cup.

The 2022 Challenge will be expanded and to be held at Sydney Olympic Hockey Centre on 19-20 November.

2025

What a great weekend of Masters hockey to enable us to finish 2025 on a high and record what has been another very successful season for Sydney Men’s Masters Hockey  

 I trust that everyone enjoyed the weekend, notwithstanding there will be a few tired, weary and stiff bodies this week (some from the Saturday night dinner function) – all good and definitely worth it to finish the 2025 Men’s Masters hockey season so well (both on and off the field).

Firstly “Thank you again” to everyone who made the commitment to participate in this the 5th year of the Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge against Canberra – all 60 of you in total (plus the many family and friends who also attended).

It was great to see a fantastic group of people represent Masters Hockey in Sydney – from the seasoned veterans who have played representative masters hockey for many years to those who experienced it for the first time this year – you all did us proud.

 So it was “Mission Accomplished” – with the Key Objective of retaining the Merv Goodridge and Doug Dawson Cup being achieved AGAIN – 5^th consecutive year since the inception in 2021 

 Thank you to the Board of Sydney Masters Hockey who again strongly encouraged, supported, and endorsed this great Masters hockey initiative to ensure that it remains an ongoing Annual Event (that rotates each year between Canberra and Sydney). 

 Thank you again to our wonderful Managers (Matho, GK, Mike / David and Christine) and Umpire David Coles – we appreciate your valuable contribution.

To the players, in true fighting spirit, it was an outstanding achievement in winning 4 and drawing 1 of the 8 matches to ensure that we retained the Merv Goodridge and Doug Dawson Cup on 9 points to 7 for Canberra.

 It was great to catch up with Doug Dawson (he attended) and together with Merv’s son Brad (who also played in the Senior Masters team for Sydney) they formally participated the Presentation and handed over the Cup to Sydney President Greg Kay. 

 Thanks to the Sydney teams Leadership Group, Robbie and Lachlan (Masters), Jimmy and Harvey (Senior Masters), Phil (Grand Masters) and Peter (Legends) for all your assistance and support in arrangements for your teams and their remarkable performances over the weekend.

 For the record, the full results were –

Masters – Game 1 (Loss 2-3), Game 2 (Loss 3-6)

Senior Masters – Game 1 (Win 2-0), Game 2 (Win 4-0)

Grand Masters – Game 1 (Win 4-1), Game 2 (Win 3-1)

Legends – Game 1 (Draw 2-2), Game 2 (Loss 0-3)

Therefore with 4 wins and 1 draw (9 Points to 7 Points) Sydney Masters WON the Merv Goodridge and Doug Dawson Cup for 2025.

Congratulations everyone for a highly successful weekend – we will be doing this again in November 2026 in Sydney.

2022

2022 Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge - Masters

2022

2022 Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge - Senior Masters

2022

2022 Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge - Grand Masters Team 

2022

2021 Intercity Masters Hockey Challenge - Legends Team