Their best days might be behind them but their competitive nature and enjoyment for the game remains a burning desire.
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The Mudgee Mudcrabs men’s 40s team will compete at this weekend’s NSW Touch Country Championships in Wollongong.
They are one of two Mudcrabs’ sides to compete at the annual event – the other being in the men’s open division.
Don’t let the age division fool you, some of the players in the men’s 40s are current and past Australian reps.
- Ben Harris, Mudgee Touch
Tony Devine and Nathan Henwood are the driving forces behind the historic Mudgee’s men’s 40s team, which comprises of players whom continue to play in the local competition.
It is the first time since the 2010 Hornets Regional Championships in Parkes that Mudgee has a representative team compete at a major touch football in the masters’ division.
Mudgee Touch spokesman Ben Harris said the club was supportive of the new team.
“It is great to have these guys take part in a tournament like the Country Championships,” Harris explained.
“Talk about having a team in the masters’ divisions has been around for a while and it wasn’t until about a year ago when this was actually given some serious thought.
“It has been a number of years since we have had a team in the masters’ division, let alone play at the Country Championships.
“So it is going to learning curve to say the least but the guys will no doubt enjoy themselves down there.”
There are 45 teams that will compete across nine divisions this weekend in the hope to become country champions.
Mudgee is one of five men’s 40s teams; all from the Hornets region.
Mudgee will take on Wallsend in their first match before playing against Newcastle City and Nelson Bay. On Sunday they will meet Maitland.
“Don’t let the age division fool you, some of the players in the men’s 40s are current and past Australian representatives,” Harris said.
“Wallsend and Newcastle City are always strong. Wallsend won it in 2014 while Newcastle were runners-up last year.”
Mudgee begin their campaign against Newcastle 20s, then Doyalson, Orange, Port Hunter, Wollongong and Beresfield.
“Doyalson have won the past two men’s open divisions but Wollongong will be strong, but there is no reason why Mudgee can’t be a real force,” Harris said.
