THREE Riverside Hockey Club members recently represented South Africa in their respective age group teams at the World Masters Hockey World Cup held in Cape Town.

Wendy Snelling (Sunningdale), Jacqui-Leigh Goldstone (Glen Anil) and Chontel Bilton (Glen Anil) said the experience of a World Cup has left them wanting more.

Snelling’s team (35–40) won gold at the World Cup while Goldstone’s team (40–45B) placed second and Chontel’s team (40–45A) finished in the top 15.

The world cup featured more than 2 000 players from 27 countries in what is a biennial tournament.

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“The build-up to the World Cup was so exciting. We had a team that was determined to get gold,” explained Snelling. “We went in there with a motto, ‘We want it, but we don’t need it, but we are going to do everything we can to get it’. The World Cup has reignited my passion for playing competitively. I was at the stage where I was the oldest player in the Riverside team, and I felt that after this season, I was ready to take a break. This experience brought my love for hockey back. I’m already looking forward to the next Masters World Cup in the Netherlands.”

Her sentiments were similar for both Goldstone and Bilton.

“For me, the World Cup proved it was very competitive no matter what age group you compete in,” said Goldstone. “We played against top class countries, and it was an awesome feeling. For all three of us, this was the first time representing South Africa, which was quite a proud and emotional moment. I played KZN hockey in my younger days, but masters hockey has given me life after school hockey.”

For Bilton, thoughts have now turned to the 2026 World Cup in the Netherlands.

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“This was an amazing opportunity regardless of the results. We all had a chance to have our families there, cheering us on, which isn’t always possible. It has given me a new lease on life. Knowing that at 43 you can still achieve things in life besides work and family is a wonderful feeling. I think Wendy mentioned but we are all already thinking of the next World Cup,” said Bilton, who serves on the KZN masters committee.

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