The men’s tournament starts in Ballina and Lismore on Saturday, with the women’s event at Bunbury and Busselton from September 27.

Wodonga’s Josh Pritchard makes his masters debut in the Victorian 35s and is joined by fellow Border players Tony Donnolley and James Nelson in the side.

“I really only played club hockey this year, so this will pretty much be the same level the Spitfires play on a normal weekend,” Pritchard said.

“To be back at that level will be really good.

“It helps knowing a few of the blokes and the bonding with the other guys.”

Beechworth’s Deb Birrell is in the Victorian 60s for her second state appearance.

“In 2009 and 2010 I had cancer and it was actually my hockey that kept me going through that time,” she said.

“I played at the World Masters in Sydney (in 2009) six weeks after I finished my chemo.

“Hockey is something that’s a motivator for me to stay well.

“When I know I can play a full game of hockey and can run, I know I am well.”

The HAW players competing are: Tony Donnolley, James Nelson, Josh Pritchard (Victorian 35s), Matt Bardy (Victorian men’s 40s), Brett Pontt (Victorian 45s), Lyndon Robertson (Victorian 50s), Ivo Mol (Victorian 55s), Mark Hulme (Victorian 60s), Dennis Martin (Victorian 65s), Kay Drummond, Lesley Forman (Victorian 55s), Deb Birrell (Victorian 60s), Yvonne Wolfe (Victorian 65s) and Hayden Anderson (ACT 40s).