At 90, Bill Greenwood has become the first England hockey international of his era to still play for his country’s team and a passion for sport can still be found in elderly players. The Somerset performer says it’s fun to play, not after a certain age.
Greenwood lives close to Langport, and has had a long involvement in field hockey since the mid-1960s. He was a recognizable name to coach England Over 80s at the World Cup earlier this month, and all this added to a career that has spanned a number of decades.
Even if he has reached 90 Greenwood continues to play and coach in the sport and at Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey Club. When he first began playing he did not think he would be as active at his age now.
Greenwood said what he just experienced with the World Cup was great, a feat he’s forever dreaming about. He also referred to the pleasure and camaraderie that’s found when playing in a team.
Hockey for Greenwood is a challenge and a lot of fun. He appreciates having years of friendships with teammates and opponents and has a lot of people he knows that help him make it more fun.
The senior years MVP also believes age should not be a barrier. He has broken his fingers numerous times, been hit on the face by a hockey stick, but he thinks that sort of stuff is just hang ups of playing sport.
Currently Greenwood has become England’s first 90-year-old international. But the record could get even more commonplace soon one of his teammates will soon be 90, arriving on September 12, and another teammate will be the next at 90 in April. It’s just another battle cry for Greenwood that love for hockey isn’t limited to just one generation.
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