Catherine Carroll and Louise Oirbans are currently representing NSW on the Gold Coast ahead of the over-35 national titles.

Russell Clucas flies to Western Australia as vice-captain of the NSW over-65s on Friday afternoon.

Clucas is an old hand at representing his state - he's done it regularly at masters level for the last three decades.

"I've been to nearly every one of them since I was 40 and I'm now 68," he said.

"It's just something I love to do and the camaraderie and the guys I play with is good and it's a great sport which keeps my mind and my body active."

"I've asked my doctor several times how long should I keep going and he said as long as you can."

When Clucas first picked up a hockey stick at eight years of age, he never thought he would still be running around a hockey field six decades later.

"I've been playing for 60 years; masters sport wasn't even considered in the early days," he said.

"You were only considered competitive until you were 40 and then you got sent out to pasture.

"Today there are guys playing at 80 years old who still enjoying running around and wouldn't have it any other way."

On the other end of the spectrum is Catherine Carroll who will make her national debut in the women's over-35 team.

A return to Port Macquarie two years ago after spending two years teaching in Hay proved to be the tonic she needed to make the next level.

"We were 300 kilometres from the closest hockey fields," she said.

"So I came back for the last two seasons and was encouraged to try out for the team and I'm going to take it as it comes and enjoy the moment."

The 35-year-old admitted she had no expectations and was looking to take every opportunity she could and put it down to the coaching of Leigh McIntosh who had made her a more complete player.

"I never thought I would get to that level," she said.

"We've had a really exceptional coach this year and he has given me a lot of confidence and developed a lot of skills.

"He's got quite a bit to do with NSW hockey and has played and coached at a high level so having him as my mentor has been incredible because it's been a long time since I've been coached.

"The game in the time I didn't play changed a lot."

Joining Clucas and Carroll representing their states over the next week or two will be umpiring duo Simon Thresher and Graeme Page with Page to make his national debut.

Lilianah Williams and Emersyn Smith will head to Tasmania early next week with the under-13 girls team.

Ashley Grummitt (Victoria over 50s), Kim Maurer (NSW over-60's), Warren Ryan (NSW over 50s) and Steve Moreton (Queensland over 50s) will also represent the Hastings in their various teams.

June Andretta will also play for the ACT in the women's over-60s.

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