Masters Hockey World Cup awaits for Mandurah businessman

The 59-year-old goalkeeper will suit up in Australia’s over 55s squad, as they look to undo the heartbreak of the last World Cup that saw them defeated by their rival England in an upset.

Ferrari – the national team’s chef de mission – jets out bound for a pre-tournament training camp on Sunday before completing the journey to Spain ahead of the games.

His squad will take on a pool of opposition nations with the hopes of progressing through to the quarter finals, with semi and grand finals to be played beyond that.

But it won’t be anything new for the veteran, who has played for Australia in every Masters Hockey World Cup to date.

The tournaments are highlights in a life filled with hockey for Ferrari, who started playing at the age of 15 and hasn’t missed a season since 1976.

But neither the novelty of playing in a World Cup nor the prestige of representing your country grow old, according to Ferrari.

“It never withers – you always feel that pride, particularly when get your uniform with your name on it or when you hear the national anthem playing at the stadiums,” he said.

“When you get out there and you know you’re playing for your country, that’s pretty special.”

Ferrari enters the coming tournament with renewed vigour and ambition, as his team looks for revenge against the English who upset them on home soil in Canberra at the previous World Cup.

“It’s always difficult to take a loss, especially when it comes against England, so we’ll definitely go in looking to get one back on them,” he said.

“Hopefully at the end of the games we’re hoisting the trophy.”

For more information on the Masters Hockey World Cup visit australianmastershockey.com