The games at the Veolia Arena and basketball stadium start at 8am and run through to about 6.40pm Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, the pool crossover games start from 8am. Division four continues with its round robin format.

This is a great opportunity for visitors attending the Blues Festival to take a break from the music and have a look at this fast and exciting form of hockey out at the Goulburn Showground. Spectator entry is free.

Last weekend, February 3-5, the Men’s Masters competition produced some exciting games. In the division final, Illawarra South Coast took out the State Championships over Metro South West.

This weekend, according to the Hockey NSW timetable, the competition will be held on three courts at the Recreation Area on Braidwood Road, with two courts in Veolia Arena and the other in the Goulburn Basketball Stadium. The competitor numbers are considerably larger than for the men’s event last weekend with 37 teams playing in four divisions.

Over 500 competitors, officials and supporters will swell the number of visitors in the city beyond all the folk who are here for the Blues Festival. Accommodation is expected to be at a premium.

Teams will be travelling from Nepean, Parkes, Illawarra, South Coast, Sydney, Dubbo, Grafton, Bathurst, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Grafton, South West Metropolitan Sydney, Northern Beaches and Coffs Coast as well as three Goulburn teams.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s business manager for marketing, events and culture, Sarah Ruberto, said the city’s accommodation this weekend was virtually at capacity with so many visitors here for the hockey championships and Blues festival.

“We encourage the community to embrace these events and welcome these visitors to our great city,” Ms Ruberto said. “For the Masters Women’s draw, visit hockeynsw.com.au.“