Inez Cooper, EuroHockey Vice President, attended the Mask Cup held in Oslo to coincide with the opening of the first water-based pitch in Norway last weekend. 

The event was a celebration of hockey with a wide range of activities. It featured a special women’s match with players from multiple clubs mixed together, including from Cambridge City from England.

An Under-14 competition had three competing clubs – Mask, Kringsja and Furuset – while there was also an Under-12 fixture.

The Mask Cup 2024 itself was played between Sagene, Furuset, Kringsja, Cambridge City, a Mask mixed team and the Mask senior team.

The hosting Mask seniors won 3-2 in the final against Cambridge City after two days of competition played out in lovely sunshine on the new pitch. 

Inez Cooper said of the event: “I was delighted to be able to attend this special occasion and to meet so many players and committed volunteers.

“It was a great to witness the joy of young and older players alike to be playing on such a superb pitch!

“Hockey in Norway is inclusive and multi-cultural with players communicating in Norwegian, Urdu, English and Dutch and families where mum, dad and the children played in the various matches.

“I also got to meet city and local representatives who have invested in the hockey facility which is part of a wider sports complex in the area of Mortensrud.

“On behalf of the Mask club, I was delighted to present them with a token of appreciation for all their support in making it happen. A special mention to Cambridge City Hockey Club who really enjoyed participating and already aiming to return next year!

“Hopefully hockey in Norway can attract new players, expanding existing clubs and establishing new clubs, building on this superb facility and the super volunteers and hockey community that was in action over the weekend.

“My heartfelt thanks to Sebastian Skaugvoll for organising my trip and to Amjad Munir, Jaswinder Pal Singh Garcha and everyone I met for the very warm welcome.” 

Pictures: Simon Webb