STATE NEWS 2000 NATIONALS - NARACOORTE A Southern Highlands Perspective by Jill Clarke
With one of the largest contingent of players, the Southern Highlands can rightfully be proud of their representatives. Boasting ten players and two team coaches we can all be proud of the effort, dedication and of course skills of our Southern Highland players and coaches who travelled and competed at the Year 2000 Australian Nationals held at Naracoorte in South Australia from March 30 to April 2.
Each player and their teams were in their respective Grand Finals. All played and competed well at this the most important event on the polocrosse calendar. The first final was the intermediate mixed on the Saturday. Ashley Mathie, Alison Mathie and Robert Sibley and their coach, Richard Clarke, set the pace for the rest of the NSW teams by winning their final convincingly. The intermediate team played Western Australia in the final and all three Southern Highland players certainly played well. Alison on 'Elle' is always a delight to watch. However her brother Ashley displayed his best games when he was needed. Ashley was awarded Best no 3 Player, Best Intermediate Player and his horse 'Axle' won Best Intermediate Horse in the Intermediate Mixed Division….. Congratulations Ashley.
Everyone who saw the intermediate mixed games wondered how Robert Sibley didn't win the Best No 1 Player as he played extremely well. Michael Gorman's horse was certainly up to Roberts game and both were consistently strong every chukka… Well done Robert.
The next final was the junior mixed with Southern Highland players Jeffery Afflick and Jillian Sibley. These two players were certainly the pick of this team. Even though they went down to Victoria in the final. These two young players displayed the usual Southern Highland grit and determination and they were rewarded with Runners Up, but also winning the Best Turned Out Team. Well done.
The Open Junior team was also another win for the Mathie team - (I mean NSW)… sorry about that - you too would be proud if three of your children played at the Nationals and won their finals!!! Heath as a member of the Open Junior team was justifiably proud and so were his mum and dad (Helen and Gil Mathie).
A brilliant exhibition of Polocrosse was viewed when you watched the NSW Open Intermediate side annihilate their Western Australian opponents in the final. Both sections of the NSW side were skilled, experienced and determined to win. The Clarke brothers Aaron and Luke were focused on their goals, even though Aarons's horse was vetted out before he even cantered on to the playing field. Aaron then jumped on to his old faithful horse - 'Rose'. Aaron displayed his concentration and his skills to team up with brother Luke (who is only 16) who played on James Laurie's Riverdale Stud horse 'Charisma' - convincingly winning each of their games. This team shot an average 8.5 goals per chukka to win their competition. Aaron was delighted to be acknowledged by winning the Best No 1 Player and the Best Intermediate Player in the Open Intermediate Division… Well done Aaron and Luke.
The two remaining players, Greg Davidge and Kylie Goatham, were delighted that their teams, Open Mixed and Women's respectively, won their finals in a spectacular style. These two players should be congratulated for the part they played in their teams' win. Both are extremely experienced and talented players. Greg and Kylie were proud to bring home 'the Gold' for themselves and their zone… Congratulations Greg and Kylie.
Having mentioned each players contribution of their win it would be remiss of me to leave out the contribution of the two Southern Highland coaches - Neville Gilpin and Richard Clarke. Neville has had many coaching experiences at the Nationals having coached a womens side during numerous wins, whereas this was Richards first coaching experience at this level …. Congratulations to you both.
There is one group of people to whom I would like to thank and that is the support of the people behind these Southern Highland players. Parents, partners, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, grandparents and friends. These great players can't do it all by themselves and so I know they would like to thank those people who have helped them. Many people travelled to Naracoorte from this zone just to cheer on our players….. thank you for your support. One Southern Highland supporter, a well known man from the snowy area told me that the Nationals is the "Best Polocrosse" but is even better when you know someone on the team…
CONGRATULATIONS ALL
NATIONALS RESULTS
Junior Mixed - VIC 18 Def NSW 16 Open Junior - NSW 34 Def QLD 12 Int Mixed - NSW 30 Def WA 19 Int Open - NSW 33 Def WA 18 Open Mixed - NSW 30 Def WA 14 Womens - NSW 31 Def WA 8 Mens - QLD 33 Def VIC 22
MENS Best No 1 - Jack Bowling QLD Best No 2 - Chris Franklin QLD Best No 3 - Matt Gleeson QLD Best overall - Matt Gleeson QLD Best Horse - Matt Gleeson - "Fred"
WOMENS Best No 1 - Wendy Barlow NSW Best No 2 - Elissa Koch NSW Best No 3 - Vicki Symons NSW Best overall - Wendy Barlow NSW Best Horse - Wendy Barlow - "Exchange"
OPEN MIXED Best No 1 - Scott Webber NSW Best No 2 - Lesley Jeffries NSW Best No 3 - Jamie Sargood QLD Best o'all male - Jamie Sargood QLD Best o'all female - Lesley Jeffries NSW Best Horse - Jamie Sargood - "Doe Doe"
OPEN INTERMEDIATE Best No 1 - Aaron Clarke NSW Best No 2 - Kenny Grimmond NSW Best No 3 - Warwick Fraser QLD Best overall - Aaron Clarke NSW Best Horse - Warwick Fraser - "Harvest Rush"
MIXED INTERMEDIATE Best No 1 - Jodie Dunlop WA Best No 2 - Ben Grills NSW Best No 3 - Ashley Mathie NSW Best o'all male - Ashley Mathie NSW Best o'all female - Jodie Dunlop WA Best Horse - Ashley Mathie - "Axle"
OPEN JUNIOR Best No 1 - Chris Anderson NSW Best No 2 - Kieran Pearce NSW Best No 3 - Michelle O'Brien WA Best overall - Chris Anderson NSW Best Horse Chris - Anderson - "Haydon Rifleman"
MIXED JUNIOR Best No 1 - Kate Jolly VIC Best No 2 - Daniel Barbor VIC Best No 3 - Jamie Womsley VIC Best o'all male - Jamie Womsley VIC Best o'all female - Kate Jolly VIC Best Horse - Aiden Thurkle - "Rebel"
Champion Male - Matt Gleeson QLD Champion Female - Wendy Barlow NSW Champion Horse - Wendy Barlow - "Exchange" Best ASH - John Bowling - "Rhapsody" Best Turned Out - NSW Junior Mixed
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UPDATE - INDEMNITY INSURANCE National Insurance Scheme
In the last newsletter I flagged my query to the State Secretary seeking clarification on accident cover for non-playing coach/umpires, ie those few non-registered people who coach or umpire. I received the following response from Heath Group Insurance:
"Coaches and umpires are protected under all sections A, B & D of the Liability Program. Section A is the Public/Products Broadform Liability, section B is the Professional Indemnity and section D is the Legal Expense Insurance. Coaches and umpires are named as an 'Insured Person'."
However, I was still in the dark whether a non-playing coach/umpire who only had "Indemnity Insurance" was covered in case of an accident. After a further check with Heath Group Insurance - I've been informed that all officials and administrators, including coaches, umpires, scorers, time-keepers etc. are also covered in the event of an accident. This component has been built into the player premium.
I know there's been a lot of confusion about who's covered for what but I hope this explanation will clarify the insurance matter.
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UNIQUE AUSTRALIAN HORSESPORTS OLYMPIC YEAR CHAMPIONSHIPS 16-20 AUGUST 2000
Nomination forms for the above championships have been forwarded to club secretaries. Originally the NSWPA Council had hoped selectors could draw teams from the State Squads - but as the "Poole Plan" has not yet been implemented, the old system will operate.
The venue is the Clarendon Showground, Hawkesbury Valley, Richmond, NSW.
Competitions will be run in Mens, Ladies, Intermediate Open, Junior Open and Masters Mixed. Nominations close with the State Secretary at 5pm on Saturday 15 July.
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2000 ASIA PACIFIC MASTERS GAMES GOLD COAST - QUEENSLAND 28 OCTOBER - 5 NOVEMBER 2000
Categories for the above games as follows: 40+ A & B Grade 50+ 40+ Women's Pooled
All players can nominate as a team, section or individual. Age to be determined as at 25th October 2000 and entries close on 29th September 2000.
For further information contact Mandy Bramhall at the Queensland Polocrosse Association: Phone (07) 4632 3045; Fax (07) 4638 5632; E-mail
ZONE NEWS
Selection Carnivals For NSW Zone Championships Muswellbrook 10-11 June
A reminder that the selection carnivals for the above championships will be Lake George 13-14 May and Burradoo 20-21 May with names announced at Burradoo.
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Southern Highlands Zone Carnival Cancelled 6-7 May
It was disappointing and somewhat annoying that the zone carnival organised to be held at the Canberra grounds had to be cancelled due to lack of interest.
Eventually only nine teams nominated, two had withdrawn late in the day causing a complete rework of the draw. Obviously, with such a small number of teams available, a viable competition was just not possible.
The Zone would like to thank the Hall and Bungendore Clubs for their input in organising the draw and taking the nominations. Also to the players who had hoped to play that weekend, but were denied the opportunity.
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US JUNIOR TOUR TO AUSTRALIA News from Liz Gleeson, Texas
Selections for the junior tour to Australia has been finalised. Liz has written:
"We had our selection trials over the Easter weekend. We held them in Texas and managed to get 19 applicants - they came from California, Colorado and Pennsylvania….
The players selected are: Daniel Johnson (17) from Austin, Texas - played in last years US team at Fountain Valley School, Colorado. Ashley Becker (18) also from Austin, Texas. Austin Gosch (17) from Pennsylvania. Cody Gosch (16) younger brother of Austin. Tanner Kneese (17) from Kerrville, Texas. Joanna Wames (18) from Pennsylvania. Thea Cross (19) from Wyoming - ex Fountain Valley School, Colorado.
COACH: Britt Lovelace, an A grade player from Durango, Colorado.
MANAGER: Ms Rani Holt also from Durango."
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HELP WANTED INFORMATION for www
Primarily for polocrosse web site, but also for the new polocrosse player: there is a demand for information regarding selection, feeding and training of a polocrosse horse, also drills/exercises for practice etc. Craig Foot, the webmaster of www.polocrosse.net says he gets many enquiries from fledgling players and countries (especially South America) looking for this type of information.
Would anyone be prepared to write a series of articles on the above, or does anyone have this information already. If so, could you please contact me (see numbers below).
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PROMOTIONS SUB-COMMITTEE
The newly formed Southern Highlands Promotions Sub-Committee, comprising Gayle Sillis, Jill Clarke, Dinah Haynes and Odette Neumann, met on 17th February to prepare a strategy for promoting polocrosse within our Zone.
Areas covered included:
Production of a brochure
Identifying target groups
Development of beginner adult players
Information kit for new members - club level
Scholarships
Promotion via television and radio
Production of a publicity kit
Prepare Procedures Manual
Development of Umpires
Publicity Officer
Touring Southern Highlands Team
Budget and Recommendations
The initial report of the committee has been forwarded to all clubs for their consideration. Discussion on the committee's recommendations will be held at the next zone meeting (14 July). Members are urged to peruse the report and make comments on any of the recommendations. Further copies are available from Odette (02 6280 7677 bh or 02 6238 2300 ah).
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N O T I C E C l u b C o a c h e s "POOLE PLAN"
Please forward players and coaches names to Coaching Director ASAP for the Poole Plan.
Remember, players will not be eligible for State Selection unless they are in this squad Janet Sillis 02 6238 1550
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CLUB NEWS PLAYERS PHOTOGRAPHS
Gayle Sillis has taken a number of excellent photographs of players at both the Hall and Yass carnivals.
Gayle will have these photographs available for viewing at the next few carnivals for resale. She can also be contacted after hours on 02 6238 1491.
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HOT GOSS' CORNER *ENGAGEMENT*
Congratulations to Alex Brown and Steve Wark who celebrated their engagement on 25th March. Robyn and Rex Brown are still coming to terms with the fact that both daughters announced their engagement within a week of each other. Alex and Steve plan to marry in March next year and Victoria and Andrew in October 2001.
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SHPSA PUBLICITY OFFICER: Ph/Fax: 02 6238 2300 (ah); 02 6280 7677 (bh) Deadline for next issue - SATURDAY 20th May 2000
Australia 
