THE four of them have been acting like schoolgirls, counting sleeps until the Year 12 high school graduation social.

The fabulous foursome who are the subject of this yarn are a couple of years out of school but the way they run around on a hockey field and the fun they have doing it, does remind one of bubbly, enthusiastic teenagers.

Tweed Border Hockey players Lorelle Morrissey of Kingscliff and a trio of Mullumbimby club hot-shots, Janet Gray, Suzanne Lofts and the Daily News' hockey correspondent, Karen Iwanuscha, are off to represent Australia at the 2011 Women's Masters International Invitational Tournament which starts next Sunday on the Gold Coast. Suzanne will play in the over 55 years division, Janet in the over 50s, Karen in the over 45s and Lorelle in the over 35s.

Obviously all four women are playing well above their age groups to help out more mature players.

“We've been looking forward to this for what seems like ages now,” Iwanuscha said.

“We're all so proud to be representing our country and linking with not only our Australian teammates but the overseas players as well – it'll be a wonderful week for all of us.”

The ladies go into a three-day camp tomorrow to meet their teammates and get in a few training sessions before the games begin.

The tournament will be officially opened by Gold Coast City mayor, Ron Clarke, at a meet and greet function at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre at 6pm on Saturday.

Games, which will all be played at Keith Hunt Park, Labrador, will start on Sunday and conclude with a tournament dinner and presentation evening on Friday, July 22.

Invitations to compete at the tournament were sent to New Zealand, Scotland and England – unfortunately the canny Scots wouldn't pay to come out and England responded by sending only an over 40s team.

However our friends from across the ditch will compete across all five age divisions – the Kiwis are always competitive and they are sure to give the Australians hard matches throughout the tournament.