Local resident and sporting enthusiast Alex Popovich has proven that age is no barrier when it comes to participating in sport.

While most people in their 60s are thinking of relaxing, doing a bit of gardening or playing a round of bowls, Popovich spent 2022 participating in three separate competitive sports – swimming, volleyball and hockey.

Popovich developed a passion for sport at high school where he competed in athletics, swimming, tennis, soccer and baseball.

“While at Flinders University I tried my hand at cricket and squash and in 1979 participated in the Gawler to Adelaide marathon (running in a pair of Dunlop Volleys),” he said.

“Maintaining a reasonable personal fitness level has been the key to longevity playing sport.

“In between times, I do a lot of dog walking and bike riding, although in the last 12 months I have taken the easy option of investing in an Ebike to manage some of the hills in Mount Gambier.”

Popovich said when the new volleyball season started last February his Division 2 team (HZARS) was very competitive and made it through to the semi-finals yet again.

“Most of our team members have played for a number of years,” he said.

“Together with my experience and height advantage, I naturally tend to direct play, serve well and have a deceptively killer spike.

“Our team has the unenviable distinction of having six of the oldest players in the competition.

“Yes, I am the oldest player.

“Despite this, I still managed to put a lot of younger players to shame and received the runner up most valuable player award.

“Flerida, my partner is the oldest female player in the competition, which is a real credit to her.”

Popovich said in between volleyball seasons he often headed back to playing badminton doubles which was always a well-attended social sport for all ages.

He decided to compete in the Bordertown Masters competition in April, but had difficulty deciding which sport to enter.

“My first preference (volleyball) was not offered and hockey was more of an open age category.

“Individual swimming (Over 60s category) ended up being a master-stroke decision.

“The weather was ideal for that time of year and it was only a day event.

“I entered into the 50-metre freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, as well as the 100-metre freestyle.

“My thinking was that four events would be within my capability, not having trained all that much leading up to the event.

“It would have been an easy day had it not been for a foolish last-minute decision to help out to fill a spot in the team’s relay events – 200-metre men’s freestyle relay, 200-metre mixed freestyle relay and the 200-metre mixed medley relay.

“In one of my last events, my partner, Flerida thought she might have to perform resuscitation as I almost came to a dead stop in the pool.

“At the end of the day I managed a placing in nearly all my events – four gold, two silver and one bronze medal.”

In the meantime, hockey season commenced and although his team – Division 3 Strikers – had a slow start. They played in the grand final in September, narrowly going down to Tigers in a skilful game.

“I had a consistent year playing full back and received the coach’s award for my consistent performances,” Popovich said.

“My bigger goal was to build up match fitness and skills in order to be considered for the state over 60s side to play for the South Australian veterans in the national championships in the Gold Coast later in the year.

“In October I headed off to the Gold Coast to represent South Australia in the 65s national men’s hockey competition – my fifth tournament since selection in 45s back in 2001.

“It’s always exciting to play with guys your own age, thinking naively how much easier it is than playing against much younger opposition.

“You soon realise there are a lot of very fit and skilful players in their 60s out there, and the reality is, it does not get any easier.

“A number of personal strengths held me in good stead; I was match fit, possessed good tackling skills, could read and anticipate ball play and I could outrun most players over shorter distances.

“The SA coach had me playing as an attacking forward and although I did not score many goals in the lead up games, I was instrumental in building up attacking moves and breaking down opposition play through the midfield.”

Popovich’s first two games were played in temperatures over 25 degrees, somewhat different to the wintry weather he was used to.

Unfortunately, the team lost two players for the entire tournament after the first game, one with a torn hamstring and the other from COVID.

This reduced the squad to 14 players and threw the rotational structure out the window.

“It was not until the last game (seventh game in nine days) and suffering from a strained hamstring and general soreness, that I scored an opportunist goal,” he said.

“I latched onto a pass at the top of the circle and with only the goalkeeper to beat, sent a flick into the top right of the goal net to level the score at a goal each.

“We ended up defeating NSW 3-2 for the bronze medal.

“By that stage personal injuries had taken their toll, having been hit several times in the feet, sore calf muscles, one strained hamstring now partially torn and the other not in too good a shape either.”

Popovich said at his age, pain was ‘part and parcel’ of playing sport.

“Stretching and preparation is vitally important, as is recovery sessions in the hydro-therapy pool and regular massage,” he said.

“Many people would ask why do not you just kick back and relax.

“My inspiration comes from my son Luke who passed away from cancer seven years ago.

“He was as fanatical as I am when it comes to sport, and we often played in the same teams together.

“I saw first-hand the excruciating pain he went through during his 11 months of treatment.

“When viewed in this light, the pain I go through becomes rather insignificant.

“When I am participating in sport, it is like Luke is there with me, encouraging me all the way.

“After missing several volleyball games after returning, HZARS again made it through to the first final, the dogs still get a regular walk, the weather is finally improving enough to roll out the bike again and the garden is in need of some urgent attention. I wonder what 2023 has in store.”