So said Manning hockey player Mel Mendham on her selection in the Australian over 45 women’s hockey side to play in a Trans Tasman Masters Challenge next April/May on the Gold  Coast. 

Mel was a member of the undefeated NSW over 45s side at the Australian Masters Championships played in Western Australia last week. NSW dominated the competition before defeating Queensland 4-1 in the final.

A midfielder, Mel was pleased with her form.

“I thought I was a good chance of making the Australian team. But you don’t take these things for granted,’’ she said.

She expects to play in the midfield for the series. The challenge is played every two years with competition in seven age divisions from over 35s to over 65s. Each division plays three matches.

“I really can’t wait,’’ Mel said.

Mel has played hockey since she was a young girl.

“Hockey’s big in my family,’’ she explained.

“I’m from Orange originally and my family is heavily involved. My grandma, Mavis Davis, was ‘the’ Orange Ex-Services Hockey Club. They named one of the turf fields there in her memory after she died.’’

She’s been playing representative hockey since she was 13. But Mel thought the chance of major honours had long passed.

However, last year she put her name down to play Masters and made the State 40s side.

“The kids are a bit older now, so I had a bit more time,’’ she explained.

She moved up a division this year to the 45s and was again successful in gaining selection in the NSW 45s.

“And now I’m in an Australian team,’’ she smiled.

Work commitments saw Mel move to the Manning 16 years ago. She now plays in the Manning division one competition with Sharks and is one of a group of players from here who head to Newcastle on Mondays to turn out with Tigers in division three.

Mel can’t ever see a time when she doesn’t play hockey.

“I just love it… hockey’s a release from everyday stress, work, kids,’’ she explained.

“My body’s held up pretty well this year and I want to be playing for a long time yet. I get to play hockey with my friends and that’s the best part.

“I have five kids,’’ she added.

"I need to play hockey.’’