Pittwater RSL FC: ''Congrats to our WO40 team members who placed 2nd in the Pan PAC W50 divisions.'' Photo; Pittwater RSL FC
Football mad Hayley Roach (51) is playing in her inaugural Pan Pacific Masters Games (PPMG) and has joined the Pittwater Chillies for the six-day games football competition.
Hayley, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire in England has played football since she was 12 years old, now lives on the Gold Coast and is as passionate about football forty years later as she was then.
A regular on the World Football Program, Australia’s longest running dedicated football radio show Hayley says “football is in my dna”.
She not only loves to get out on the field but has worked in all levels of the game from grassroots to the FIFA World Cup.
Hayley said she was thrilled to be playing in the PPMG football tournament.
“The PPMG is a fantastic event; it’s like the Olympics for seniors!
“This event is so inclusive and is all about opportunity to participate, once an athlete always an athlete.
“I think if you have grown up playing sports, the passion and love never leaves you, so this event gives everyone a chance to play and competing for a medal is extra motivation.
Hayley’s career highlight came whilst working at the UEFA Women’s Championships in England in 2005; in a staff match Hayley was awarded the prestigious player of the match award after scoring a hattrick.
Because of that impressive performance, Hayley was invited by the England Manager, Hope Powell, to train with the Lionesses.
“That was truly unforgettable and a career highlight, for sure,” she said.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby stated in the NSW Parliament on November 13 2024:
''Congratulations to the women soccer players from Pittwater who won medals at the Pan Pacific Masters games in Queensland in November and proved that sporting endeavour is not confined by age and sporting prowess extends across the whole community.
The Pittwater Chillies team, made up of 11 past and present Pittwater RSL Football Club players, won a silver medal in the Over 50s women's competition.
The team includes goalie Trudy Haygarth, who has played for Pittwater for 12 years and has been on Pittwater's committee since 2018, currently serving as club Secretary.
The Blazing Fury team won gold in Over 45s women's football competition. The Fury was made up of several Belrose and Terrey Hills Raiders FC players and other local residents, and captained by Tiffiny Perrin, a primary school teacher from Newport.
They all capture something of the spirit of Pittwater in their participation and success.''
The 13th Pan Pacific Masters Games was held on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia on 1 – 10 November 2024.
Boasting world class venues that play host to national and international sporting events participants only need to meet the qualifying age of their chosen sport to enter which for the majority is 30 years of age.
There’s a great sport for everyone at PPMG and everyone’s a great sport and whilst the competition can sometimes be fierce it’s always friendly with an emphasis on fun.
Pictured: Pittwater Chillies. Insert: Hayley and Susan. Photo courtesy Pan Pacs Masters Comp. 2024