Southern Highlands Polocrosse
Sub Association Inc

MARCH 2000 NEWSLETTER

ZONE NEWS
CANBERRA SHOW 2000
Gill Mathie

It gives me great pleasure to write this report on the Royal Canberra Show polocrosse exhibition games for 2000. The teams competing this year were Central West, Southern Highlands, South West Slopes and Western Districts.

Saturday morning's games started on time thanks to the efficiency of the workers who marked out the fields. Their continued assistance over the whole weekend was greatly appreciated.

First game was between Southern Highlands and Central West with SH winning that match 12 to 2. Next round was South West Slopes against Western Districts with SW Slopes winning 13 to 3.

Saturday afternoons games started with South West Slopes against Central West with SW Slopes winning 11 to 6. Final game for the afternoon was Southern Highlands winning against Western Districts 17 to 2.

All teams took part in the Grand Parade and I must commend all players for not only their presentation but also that of their horses and equipment. It was a fine display of the polocrosse horse and rider.

On Sunday morning the final round was between Central West and Western Districts - this was a very entertaining game for both players and spectators and was won by Central West 17 goals to 10.

We then moved into the Main Arena for the Final which was between Southern Highlands and South West Slopes competing for the Max Walters Trophy.

I congratulate both teams on a great exhibition of polocrosse. The appreciation of the crowd was shown by their hearty applause. It was a closely contested game but in the end South West Slopes were the eventual winners 12 goals to 9. Congratulations to Wendy Barlow and the players from South West Slopes, also to Neville Gilpin and his five team mates all of whom are under the age of eighteen.

I would also like to thank the umpires for their work over the weekend: Charlie Grills, Sara Grills, Graham Bennett and lastly Michael Gorman for umpiring the finals match.

We must not forget the announcers, Allan Golding and Bill Bleechmore for a job well done. Also time keepers and scorers for the weekend Lorraine Crowe and her helpers.

On Saturday evening the players, coaches, managers and helpers enjoyed dinner at the Canberra North Bowling Club. During the evening Max Walters presented Tom Clear with a Banner of Appreciation from the International Polocrosse Association. It was very worthy for Tom who does so much behind the scenes for polocrosse at all levels and I congratulate him and wish him all the best.

All in all I think it was a good weekend for polocrosse. Thank you players, coaches, managers and all helpers for your positive attitude towards polocrosse over the whole exhibition.

List of players and reserves who competed:
 
CENTRAL WEST
Rebecca Matthews, Brendan Summers, Julia Frean, Peter Ryan, Georgina Summers, Bruce Greenslade
 
WESTERN DISTRICTS
Kylie Deshon, Morris Donnelly, Gail Donnelly, Chris Bredhauer, Tanya Hollow, Kevin Dwyer

SOUTH WEST SLOPES
 
Wendy Barlow, Will Weston, Nichole Amey, Darren Maurer, Donna Weston, Charlie Grills
 
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
 
Jillian Sibley, Anthony Yeo, Kristen Thistleton, Tim Thistleton, Allison Mathie, Neville Gilpin
 
Reserves: Belinda Hallam and Peter Blyth

MAX WALTERS
INTERNATIONAL POLOCROSSE COUNCIL

The following letter of thanks addressed to the Zone Secretary was received from Max Walters:

"May I thank you and the Members of your Sub-Association for inviting me to be present at the Polocrosse Matches at the Canberra Royal Show and for the Dinner on Saturday night.

I enjoy being at the Canberra Royal for the Polocrosse, especially being able to catch up with my old polocrosse friends. The standard of play was really good this year, particularly the Final.

May I congratulate you on the pamphlet on polocrosse you produced. It is excellent and should serve as a model for other Zones.

I enclose a list of some polocrosse supporters at the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Coaching Council which you might like to send a pamphlet to with an invitation that should they wish to attend one of the Carnivals in the area that they should contact you and you will arrange to make suitable arrangements…"

Max Walters

CLUB NEWS
MILTON & CANBERRA ROYALS
CARNIVALS CANCELLED

Unfortunately, both Milton and Canberra Royals have suspended operation for this season and therefore will not be holding their carnivals.

The Zone is currently investigating the possibility of running a zone carnival at the Canberra grounds on 6-7 May – details will be announced shortly.

INDEMNITY INSURANCE

Under the NSWPA insurance scheme there is a category for "INDEMNITY MEMBER" this covers administrators or non-players who coach and/or umpire.

The fee for the "Indemnity Member" is $5.00 registration to the NSWPA and $15.00 insurance. This insurance is for Professional Indemnity and Public Liability – there is no accident cover of any kind.

I raised the question with the State Secretary that if a non-playing coach or umpire wanted the accident cover, could they opt to pay the $40.00 accident insurance fee and still be covered for Professional Indemnity.

Jenny will liaise with Heath Group Insurance and ascertain what their "legal" opinion is on an umpire/coach who has an accident while umpiring/coaching as opposed to being sued for negligence.

NOTE - the majority of umpires/coaches are "registered players" and therefore covered, but for the few who are "non-players" this situation will need to be clarified.

A copy of the new insurance policy is currently unavailable, but once I receive a copy I will forward it on to all Clubs.

Odette Neumann

HOT GOSS' CORNER
BABY VAN WEERDENBURG

Congratulations to Gerard and Sonia on the birth of their baby boy, Wade William. Weighing in at 6lb 11oz, Wade arrived safely on Friday 3 March at Moruya – mother, baby and father are doing well – grandfather is in shock!

BUNDY RUM
FORD UTE COMPETITION

OK, how many polocrosse people entered the recent "Bundy Rum Ute" competition? On 1 March ten entries from NSW were drawn out of various barrels throughout the region – two of the successful entries came from Southern Highlands polocrosse players: Brett "Rooster" Price from the Yass Club and Tom Boatwright from Lake George.

Along with eight other New South Welshmen, Brett and Tom were wined, dined and stabled at Dubbo on 5 and 6 March. The draw took place at Wellington on Monday 6 March. All ten contestants were invited to select a key from a box, Brett was number 6 and Tom number 8.

It was real nerve wracking, nail biting stuff when it came to Brett's turn, but unfortunately he had no luck with the key. Tom at number 8 was also showing signs of nervous optimism – also to no avail as his key failed to unlock the door. Number 9 ended up the lucky winner. At least they didn't come away empty handed – the consolation prizes were baskets of Bundy goodies – including a bottle of rum!

BUNGENDORE SHOW
SUNDAY 27 FEBRUARY
 
Cliff Sillis Memorial Trophy

Congratulations to the Clarke family for a clean sweep in the Cliff Sillis Memorial Trophy for flag racing. Results were:

First - Aaron Clarke
Second - Richard Clarke
Third - Luke Clarke

With prize money in excess of $200 I can guess whose shout it was!

CLASSIFIEDS

ASH 6yo Black Mare by Only Way to Travel 15.2-15.3hh well educated and going well. $3,000.00 ono