The Nelson Womens 45+ hockey team have secured a rare threepeat after triumphing at the 2026 Vantage National Masters hockey nationals.
The side went undefeated through the tournament before sealing a 2–1 win over Tauranga in the final. It is their third straight national title, and team member Karen Eden says their longevity and tight bond remain at the heart of their success.
“The core of the team has been together for the last eight years, when we first started playing in the women’s 35+ grade. We love playing together, and I think a big part of being successful is playing as team, and playing for each other.”
The 45+ team were one of five Nelson sides at this year’s championships, which attracted a record 112 entries.
The Womens 35+ team claimed silver after a close 2–1 loss to Auckland in the final. The Mens 70+ side also finished runners-up, falling 2–1 to Canterbury in a tight final. The men had a chance to push the match to an overtime penalty shootout with a penalty corner on the fulltime buzzer, but could not convert.
Gary Wilson, a long-time member of the Mens 70+ team, says the tournament is the highlight of the year. The players also compete together in Nelson’s club competition, and he credits their on-field trust for their strong showing.
“Having played together for a long time we trust each other on the field, and there are very few big egos within our team.”
Nelson’s Womens 50+ team finished seventh with a 1–0 win over Tauranga in their final match, while the 40+ men also claimed seventh place after a 1–0 victory against Manawatu.
