In a team full of rising stars, Mathew Higgins is the wise head.
Charged with the double responsibility of stopping goals and helping guide Altona Hockey Club’s young talent, his results speak for themselves.
Holding down a key defensive post, Higgins is part of a Seagulls side that boasts a perfect 5-0 record in the premier hockey competition. Not bad for a 37-year-old who first arrived at Altona more than 17 years ago.
Last week Higgins and his teammates had double the reason to enjoy themselves, with the club securing a crucial win against Greensborough and the man of the moment celebrating his 300th game for the Gulls.
After choosing to move from Shepparton to Melbourne in 1997 in an attempt to further his hockey career, Higgins admitted he originally had doubts about whether he would be good enough to play even one game with Altona.
“I didn’t think I would make the first side to start with,” he said.
“But to play 300 games is something you don’t really ever think about. Even the last couple of years and being the veteran of the team, retirement is around the corner so I really hadn’t thought about it until this week.
“It’s a huge honour to do it for such a great club like Altona.”
Higgins is only the second member of Altona to register 300 games in its 82-year history.
The other member of the two-man 300 club is Altona legend and life member Ian Bartlett.
But it wasn’t just with the Seagulls that Higgins made his mark on the sport.
He was a member of the Victorian Institute of Sport and played with the Victorian Vikings in the Australian Hockey League.
His work for both Altona and Victoria drew praise from Altona chairman David Burns.
“The respect Mathew has, from not only our club membership but from opposition players and coaches and umpires, is remarkable,” Burns said. “They all know he’s a tough competitor and phenomenal talent on the field, but he’s also a friendly and funny bloke off the field and a wonderful dad.”
Higgins listed Altona’s team success among his favourite moments in his time at the club, which included making the finals in four consecutive years when he first arrived.
Opposition players will soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief with Higgins indicating 2014 will be his last season.
“I’m pretty sure this will be the last one. I’ve always said to the committee that if I’m holding a young fella up from playing in division one, tap me on the shoulder and I will go tomorrow. If you feel like you need an old head in the team, I’m happy to play.”
