Wahroonga Tigers triumph at the Pan Pacific Masters Games 2024

Last month, our very own Ally Grant traded his tech toolkit for football boots, reuniting with his former team, the Wahroonga Tigers Old Boys, to compete in the Pan Pacific Masters Games 2024 in Sydney. Proving that age is no barrier to glory (and yellow cards are just part of the fun), Ally and his team dominated the Over-55s Division 1 category, clinching the title without conceding a single goal across six gruelling matches in seven days. Word on the street is the post-match celebrations rivalled the intensity of the games themselves!

Read Ally’s full account of victory below…

From Wahroonga to the World

The Wahroonga Tigers Old Boys hail from the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga, where most of the squad still play. For five incredible years (2008–2013), I was fortunate to be a member of the team that competed weekly in Sydney’s North Shore leagues and cups.

Over the years, our squad – a mix of Australians, Scots, Irish, Northern Irish, English and our Kiwi goalkeeper (and my roommate for this trip) – has competed in international tournaments across Europe and Australia. While the banter, shenanigans and occasional hangovers have remained a constant, so too has our competitive spirit. The Pan Pacs, often described as the “Olympics for veterans,” was the perfect stage for our next tournament.

The Tournament – a hard-fought road to victory

The Pan Pacs 2024 was as intense as ever, featuring 12 teams in our age group split across two divisions. After six hard-fought games, including a nail-biting final, we clinched the Division 1 title with a narrow 1-0 victory over a tough Queensland side.

Our Glaswegian striker scored the decisive goal early in the match – a thunderous strike that could have graced any highlight reel. As a defender, I’m proud to say we didn’t concede a single goal throughout the tournament due to a bit of luck, a solid defence and our outstanding goalkeeper.

The Queensland team were very worthy competition. But in true Tigers fashion, we held our ground and let our football do the talking. The final whistle was met with jubilation (and perhaps a little relief) as we secured a gold medal.

More than just football

Off the pitch, the camaraderie was just as strong as ever. From swapping old stories to celebrating our wins, it felt like we were the same old Wahroonga Tigers from back in the day…maybe just not as fast!

On a personal note, this trip also gave me the chance to spend time with my eldest son, William, who’s currently studying in Sydney. We took in the sights, including the iconic Opera House, a ferry ride to Manly and of course, a good old Aussie BBQ washed down with a few tinnies. These moments, both on and off the field, made the experience truly unforgettable.

Cheers,
Ally Grant
Chief Technology Officer, DataLase (and proud defender for the Wahroonga Tigers Old Boys!)