Launceston's Brett Withington has been selected to represent Australia in an over-40s trans-Tasman series in New Zealand in May. Picture: WILL SWAN
LAUNCESTON hockey player Brett Withington will represent Australia in an over-40s trans- Tasman series in New Zealand in May.
The 39-year-old Queechy midfielder was one of four Tasmanians picked in the national team after the Australian masters championships were held in Hobart last October.
He will be joined by Smithton duo Jarrad Poke and Jason Lynch, and Hobart player Michael Austin.
"I played in the over 35s in that carnival and Tassie won the national title," Withington said.
"It was pretty good for Tassie to have four guys picked in the Australian team and I can't wait to go away.
"This year is just a series between Australia and New Zealand but every second year is a World Cup in the masters, and next year that will be in Amsterdam."
Withington is a former state representative and has captained Tasmania at indoor hockey.
He played in the Tassie Tigers side in the national hockey league in his 20s.
"I still play division 1 with Queechy who have won the past three premierships but this is my first year in masters hockey," Withington said.
He is attending a training camp for the Australian team in Sydney this weekend.
Hockey runs in the Withington family, with daughters Emily and Abby both state age-group representatives.