No, Los Angeles man Scott Spooner is not one of the Wanganui Spooners gone overseas _ to tell the truth he calls himself a ``Yank who lived in Wellington for 18 months back in 1991/92 and hooked up with the Eagles Volleyball club''.
And here he is, back at the New Zealand Masters Games with his old Jurassics Volleyball Club he played for in Wellington.
This will not be his first visit since that time.
``I have been back to play in the New Zealand club champs twice, the Wanganui Masters once, and the Australasian/Asia Champs in Lake Taupo.''
The reasons for all that?
``My mates on the Jurassics are amazing and we have a great time. In fact, we also hooked up in 2009 in Sydney and won the World Masters Champs in the 40s division. Our friendship is deep, and our love of volleyball helps facilitate me getting together with them more often.''
The American has built up an abiding love of the All Blacks through his time in this country _ and when joining his Jurassics team-mates in following them around the world.
``I have also travelled the world to see the ABs play (1999, 2007 and other) with my Jurassic mates. I do not like to discuss the 1999 and 2007 games at the World Cup though,'' he says.
Spooner was born in San Diego, California. He learned the volleyball game on the beaches and eventually got into indoor volleyball at Pepperdine University which has a rich history in volleyball, although he did not play the outdoor game there.
``I am the national controller for Deloitte Consulting LLP in the United States, and still play volleyball competitively here, having just returned from the Huntsman Games in St George, Utah.''
Former Christchurch man Dave Chisholm, now a Bendigo (Victoria) resident, is back for his second Wanganui Masters as well, after being here in 2011 and undertaking a busy athletics programme.
He ``found'' the Wanganui Masters Games while perusing the internet, looking for competition in New Zealand.
``I entered online, after first reading about the games in Wanganui a few years ago, when I was just perusing the internet, and seeing if there were any athletic events on in my home country.
``I competed in athletics at school and only stopped after an injury when I was 17. Then, when I turned 40, my wife at the time suggested I try track and field, as there was a seniors competition on near home, in Bendigo.
``I have steadily improved, with the highlight being at the Oceanias in Tauranga early in 2012. I have only entered Athletics, with plans to push in the sprints, and utilise the field events as fun only. We always get a good laugh when sprinters like me try to throw.''
Chisholm has also tried volleyball and skiing, the latter a real love.
He says the major drawcard for Wanganui ``will be to see old friends whom I met two years ago. ``The friendship and camaraderie we enjoy both on and off the track adds an element that you can't get anywhere else.''
Chisholm will be accompanied by his partner, Toni Phillips, whom he met in Tauranga.
She's in six events, a few less than Chisholm _ who jokes she's lazy, ``but no less capable''.
Bendigo will be hosting the Oceania Masters Track and Field Championships from January 5-12, in 2014. Dave Chisholm says he will be there.
Now to a team sport (football), and a group from Taranaki who are trying to boost Masters interest in their own area.
Taranaki Tarts captain Nina Elliott talks about her new team:
``We are a team made up of a selection of players from each club around Taranaki. I have organised the team this year in the hope that it will be good for morale within the women's football community in Taranaki, but also with the vision that we will set a precedent and be able to put a couple of teams in each year once people see how much fun we have ... and see us kick arse, haha. We are a range of ages (from 25-40 from memory); we are a competitive team but are certainly looking forward to the social aspects of the games too.''
Elliott has been to the Wanganui Masters twice as a supporter for her partner who plays for the Red Sox masters team.
``Only this year being 30 _ though you have now lowered the age to 25 _ have I been eligible to play, so we are very excited about being able to put a team together.''-->-->
Volleyball keeps team together
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