Huk And Mates Rapt With Gold
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday November 13, 2007
PETER Huk believes he has achieved nearly everything he can in hockey after captaining the Australian over-40 team to success in the International Masters tournament in England.
The University club stalwart has retained his job as Australian over-40s skipper for a Trans-Tasman series next year after he led the national side to a 3-1 win over New Zealand in the final in Birmingham in August."It was an enormous honour to captain the side, and to win (the tournament) made it very special," Huk said."In the past year I have done just about everything I had left to do in hockey."I have captained Australia and also played with my son (Jeremy) in first grade."When I look back I had nine caps for the Australian open team and played indoor for Australia and at veterans level. I don't think I could ask for more."Huk was joined at the International Masters by Illawarra team-mates Greg Johnson and Peter Hammond.Johnson and Hammond stepped up to the Australian over-45 team after the Australian veterans' carnival on the Gold Coast last month, with Johnson taking on vice-captaincy in the higher age group.NSW won the over 40s, over 45s, over 50s and over 55s at the championships.While Huk, Johnson and Hammond will go to New Zealand for the Trans-Tasman series in March, there are several other Illawarra players scheduled to head to Hong Kong for the World Veterans Cup in August.Dennis Cranston, Dave Johnston and John Williams made the Australian over-55 team and Illawarra legend Vic East was picked in the inaugural Australian over-70 side.
© 2007 Illawarra Mercury