Steeles stick to family formula

Having been in every Wanganui hosted New Zealand Masters Games since the beginning, one family is keen when it comes to the hockey turf.

There were 14 teams, including six from Wanganui, lined up at the Gonville turf over the weekend.

Going with surnames on the back of the shirts worn by team TCOB (Tech College Old Boys) would have been a little confusing as Caroline Steele joined her father Peter and uncles Ken and Wayne Steele in the lineup.

Also on the turf was the oldest brother Norm, now retired from play but still active as an umpire.

As competition got underway on Friday night and went through to yesterday afternoon, the Steeles were there from start to finish.

"I've got to play four games today and umpire two," said Wayne Steele on Saturday.

With six in the family playing the sport including inlaws and nieces Wayne Steele recalled following the family line when his rugby playing days ended.

After one season of football, he joined the sport his brothers had grown up in for the first Masters back in 1989.

To this day, the "Steelers" team still plays together in the winter.

"There was five brothers that played in that first Masters in 1890," Wayne laughed.

"Every games we've won a medal, although one year it was a wooden one."

The event has changed those first years were 11-a-side match-ups with games being held all week but more sports and options have seen the roll drop. Nonetheless, "it's good camaraderie, it's good fun," said Wayne. "It's the friendly Masters, although of course it can be competitive."