Boyde’s brilliance | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

DESPITE being a busy farmer, Skinner Road’s Grant Boyde has still had time to take the hockey world by storm this year.

To simply be selected for the nation’s representative Masters Hockey team in February was an honour for Grant; to then go on to take gold at this year’s Masters World Games in Hong Kong was an amazing way to round off his hockey year.

"We played two warm-up games before playing six more in the tournament," says Grant.

"We played teams from Honk Kong, Malaysia, Ireland, England, Scotland and Australia in temperatures ranging from 31-35°. It was pretty tough."

However, despite the blistering late-October skies, the New Zealand Masters Team won on points in the Round Robin, meaning Grant and his teammates got the opportunity to stand on the podium and receive their gold medals.

"Standing on the podium was an absolutely incredible feeling, and to see the New Zealand flag flying was really emotional.

"Our team had worked so hard in the lead-up to the matches so coming first was unbelievably rewarding for everybody."

Winning was by no means a given during the tournament, and the victory came after many a bitter struggle on the sand-based pitch.

"All the games were tough. When you’re playing the best in the world you have no choice but to raise your game.

"New Zealand doesn’t have the same level of experience playing against these international teams, so winning was an enormous success."

While winning was the ultimate success, being singled-out as the team with the greatest ‘heart’ also gave cause for a proud smile or two.

"It was commented by others how well we worked as a team on the field, and how we were always be there for each other right from the start."

No doubt the rigorous training regime leading up to the tournament played a big part in building team spirit, with Grant participating in an intensive training camp in August, and his own local training three times a week on Stratford’s water-based turf.

Grant’s regime also included a lot of fitness training, including the infamous ‘beep’ test.

"I was fortunate to receive a lot of support from Taranaki Hockey’s Jenny Elgar and Glen Taylor as well as great coaching from Canterbury’s Lee Munt."

And while the official support from hockey colleagues was fantastic throughout his campaign, Grant is quick to acknowledge the incredible efforts and vast sacrifices made by his wife and family as well.

"They take care of things on the farm for me when I have to go away and I really couldn’t do what I need to do for the game without them," says Grant.

Grant is taking a well-deserved break from his serious hockey-playing over the summer, but is looking forward to getting back into it all in the new year.