The Access Cardiology Western Hockey Masters Gala Day at Perth Hockey Stadium late last year saw some of WA’s legendary masters hit the field to highlight the wonders of modern medicine.
The annual Bionic Cup, a field hockey match played between knee and hip replacement recipients, was expanded in 2021 to include the Survivors Cup, which saw players who have had heart problems pitted against those who have had cancer.
In its sixth year and supported by Medical Forum, the Bionic Cup’s record now stands at three-all after the Knees defeated the Hips 2-1 on December 15.
The Hearts claimed the inaugural Survivors Cup, with another 2-1 score line in their favour against Team Cancer.
Players were in good hands on match day, under the eye of senior exercise physiologist Dr Brendan Joss from Health Function Rehabilitation Care.
Team Knees captain David Lockett acknowledged that although his side missed some chances, after years of experience, their efforts were more controlled across the board.
“I think we had a bit more dominance over them this year and we were a little bit more controlled around the back and the midfield,” he says.
Hearts captain Heath Tyrell says his side performed well under the circumstances.
“We had 14 players who hadn’t really played together before this match,” he says.
“We started off scratchy and went one-nil down, but we managed to gel and bring it back to two-one in our favour, so a really good effort from the Hearts team.”
Both captains and their sides are competitive on the field but share the same sentiment that the biggest prize is being able to continue to play the sport they love, regardless of age or ability.
“I’ve been playing for 57 years but anytime you can go out there at this age and play hockey with your mates is an absolute bonus,” Lockett says.
Tyrell agrees that hockey is a sport for life, with people of all ages competing regularly.
“We encourage people of all abilities and ages to come and play because hockey’s a social game more than anything,” he says.
“We have people up to 80-years-old now playing international matches at Masters tournaments.”
Alongside the two key fixtures are the Masters All-Star Games, with hopes to further add to the gala day in the future.
Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross says the event has grown year after year.
“We have a really strong Masters contingent here in WA, so for them to be able to play in such a spectacle is great for the sport and especially for those competing who have overcome these life-changing surgeries,” he says.
The Australian Orthopaedic Association president, Dr Annette Holian, says the tournament provides not only the orthopaedic profession, but the medical profession as a whole, a chance to reflect on the significant contribution that modern medicine and surgical techniques make to thousands of people each year.
“Being able to enjoy the freedom of movement, let alone undertake sporting endeavours, wouldn’t be possible without significant advances in prosthesis technology and the improvement of surgical technique over the past 85 years,” Dr Holian says.