PRESIDENT'S REPORT TO THE 2000 ZONE AGM Friday 13th October 2000
It gives me great pleasure to present my report for the year 2000.
We started the year with the Royal Canberra Show of which I was very pleased and I hope we can make it even better next year when we attempt to have an intermediate competition. It would be a great achievement to get support from all members in Southern Highlands.
We then move on to the Nationals at Naracoorte SA. The Southern Highlands was well represented with ten players. We had a player in all divisions except the open men's. A mighty effort for any zone. I congratulate all our players and to those who won special prizes - well done. I must not forget the supporters, it was very pleasing to see and I am proud to be President of a Zone which shows support for their members.
With our carnivals this year it was quite pleasing to see that each club had a successful weekend, although Bungendore had bad luck with the weather, something we can't do a lot about.
I thought the Zone End of Year Carnival was very successful, I am sure that the majority of players enjoyed the competition, capping it off with the presentations on Saturday evening. I thank everyone whose effort went towards making it a success. I realise that the zone was down $600 for the weekend, I myself think this does not matter as it was well worth it to see everybody enjoying themselves.
Paul Spackman is still making good progress. In the season this year it was unfortunate that there were some serious accidents with Ryan O'hearn and another man from Hunter Valley also suffering a serious fall.
There is a lot of talk of how these accidents happen, but I think that our Zone Chief Umpire and his Deputy have done a wonderful job over this season. They need support from all the members that can take umpiring on, to get in there and learn to better themselves. It can only make our Zone stronger.
With regards to the NSW Zone Championships at Muswellbrook, once again we can be proud of all players, parents and supporters from our Zone. All the players gave their best in every game and final.
We continue on with the ASH National Championships. Hawkesbury hosted this event which involved many of our players in the polocrosse competition. To all of you, well done!
I must thank Odette for her support and the brilliant job she has done as Zone Secretary. Also Dinah for her job as Treasurer, I thank her very much. The Vice President Steve Stuart who filled in for me on a few occasions also thank you.
Last of all I thank everyone who sent their well wishes to me when I was in hospital. So I wish you all good health and happiness for the year 2001. Thank you.
Gill Mathie
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CHIEF UMPIRE'S REPORT TO THE 2000 ZONE AGM
This was my 4th year as Chief Umpire for the Zone and I must admit to running out of new issues to report to the AGM.
I consider the umpires in the zone do a very good job. You only need to travel out of zone to realise our standard is quite high.
However, having said that, there is always room for improvement. The nature of our game means that there is an element of risk and accidents do happen. It is important that we all help to minimise that risk with good umpiring and by providing wide support for quite strict umpiring - from players and spectators alike. Loud cries of "oh - there was nothing wrong with that hit" while falling like water off a ducks back to some of us, may intimidate less experienced umpires. I would therefore urge all clubs to discourage loud sideline umpiring. Positive encouragement is of course welcome. Our aim should be to maximise player safety and fair play.
On the theme of need for continuous improvement, I was disappointed at the attendance at the umpire school. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Lake George for holding the school.
I would also like to thank David Sillis, Deputy Chief Umpire, for his strong umpiring and support to his fellow umpires throughout the season.
Between David and myself we have issued ten new B Grade Umpire tickets. During the season I also had to trim back the list of non-active umpires for the State records. The state has to pay $16 per head for insurance for umpires. It is not a problem to put umpires back on the list, but we do need to keep only those umpires that are still active insured.
I would also like to thank all players who have been bringing umpires horses to the carnivals. It makes running carnivals a lot easier and the standard of umpires horses is also much improved.
Finally, as I said last year, if there is anyone in the Zone who is willing, or indeed wants, to take on the Chief Umpire position for next season, I would give them my full support.
Michael Gorman
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STATE NEWS NSWPA AGM & GENERAL MEETING
The NSWPA AGM will be held at Muswellbrook on Saturday 11th November commencing at 2.00pm, the Yearly Council Meeting commences at the conclusion of the AGM and will continue on Sunday morning.
UAH CHAMPIONSHIPS CLARENDON SHOWGROUND By Bill Bleechmore - Central West
Twenty two teams competed at the Unique Australian Horsesports championships staged at the Clarendon Showground from 16th to 20th August 2000.
These championships were conducted in conjunction with the ASH Society and their National Championships 2000.
Competition was conducted in Masters (3 teams) Senior Mens (5 teams), Womens (4 teams) Intermediate Open (2 teams) Intermediate Mixed (3 teams) and Juniors (5 teams). Included in these numbers were two interstate teams; a mens team from the Northern Territory and a womens team from Victoria.
Wednesday, while not part of the Polocrosse Championships as such, saw a demonstration match in the Main Arena. The match was played before a good sized crowd which included the Governor of NSW Mr Gordon Samuels and his wife. This match was taken out by a Northern Territory team strengthened by the inclusion of Neville Gilpin and included Darren Hassell, Daniel Clarke, Stephen Hart, Jason Carroll and Pat Davidge. NSW were represented by Colin Parkinson, Brad Grills, Ray Davis, Dean Bourlet, James Fitzgerald and Charlie Grills.
Thursday saw the competition proper get under way with the majority of play on two new fields away from the main arena. We were allowed two matches on the main arena each day. Each division competed in a round robin format with the intermediate open and mixed together for the preliminary matches.
In addition to their involvement in the Polocrosse competition each team was designated one hour duty in the information/promotional tent adjacent to the main arena. Virtually all teams completed their duty which took much of the pressure off Jean Still who stoically manned the tent over the five days. With both information and memorabilia available this information area proved a very worthwhile promotional tool.
There were many outstanding matches during the preliminary rounds with a very high standard shown by all teams. A highlight of the Thursday competition was the match involving the two intermediate open teams in the main arena. While the final scoreline was 17-13 in favour of the Young Guns the sheer speed and ability of the players was a wonderful exposure of our sport to the good crowd that was on hand.
A feature match in the mens preliminary competition was the highly fancied Wallabies playing the Kangaroos. In somewhat of an upset Kangaroos ran out winners 14-10. This enabled Kangaroos to make the final. The other close mens match was the Territory 19 defeating Wallabies 16.
In the Masters competition Baldies and Greystones quickly emerged as the finalists while in the womens competition Dolphins and Waratahs likewise qualified for their final.
The Intermediate Mixed competition also saw koalas and Numbats into the final though Numbats just scraped home in a preliminary match with Echidnas 11-10.
The junior competition saw Cockatoos and Galahs quickly establish themselves as the teams to beat. However the remaining three teams fought out a titanic struggle before Magpies and Crows qualified for the A Grade final.
In the long run we saw all teams in all divisions establish great teamwork by the end of the competition. The outstanding aspect in evidence throughout the four days was the great sportsmanship shown by all players. Even the umpires had relatively quiet times. As is the case with most tournaments players form the nucleus of the umpiring panel. However in this case special mention must be made of Arch Anderson, Glen Fraser and John Halsted who were there as spectators but did an inordinate amount of umpiring.
Maybe there will and maybe there wont be another such tournament in conjunction with the ASH. Either way this was a great opportunity for us to showcase our sport to an audience not comprised entirely of the converted. From that point of view we grasped the chance with both hands. All players who competed are to be complimented on their attitude, their presentation and their co-operation. It was only on the final day that a few left early leaving organisers scrambling to make up teams for finals.
Results
Masters Championship Baldies 11 defeated Greystones 5 A Grade: Blue Rinses
Mens Championship Northern Territory 17 defeated Kangaroos 10 A Grade: Wallabies 17 defeated Dingos 9 B Grade: Wombats
Womens Championship Dolphins 16 defeated Waratahs 6 A Grade: Victoria 10 defeated possums 9
Intermediate Open Championship Young Guns 20 Roosters 9
Junior Championship Cockatoos 16 defeated Galahs 13 A Grade: Magpies 12 defeated Crows 10 B Grade: Echidnas.
Individual Awards
Best Horse/Rider Combinations Masters: Jim Davidge Mens: Darren Hassell Womens: Tanya Hollow Intermediate Girl: Nichole Amey Intermediate Boy: Shane Piper Junior Girl: Jillian Sibley Junior Boy: Chris Anderson
Australian Stock Horse Awards Masters: Norma Squires (WA) Mens: Darren Hassell "Fame" Womens: Tanya Hollow "Edenhope Chandelier" Intermediate Girl: Linda Bowen Intermediate Boy: Scott Sneddon Junior Girl: Jillian Sibley "Kirra Lizzie" Junior Boy: Heath Mathie "Sweet Dee"
Best Umpire's Horse Neville Gilpin
Most Utilised Umpire Arch Anderson
Special Award "Age Shall Not Weary Them" Norma Squires (WA)
Supreme Horse & Rider of Championships Womens: Tanya Hollow & "Edenhope Chandelier" Mens: Darren Hassell & "Fame"
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ZONE NEWS
The Zone was saddened to learn of the death of Frank Hallam. Frank passed away peacefully on 15th October after a long illness.
Franks contribution to polocrosse was recognised by his appointment as patron to the Southern Highlands Zone for more than 15 years.
The Zone would like to convey its most sincere sympathy and condolences to the Hallam family at this sad time. Frank will be sorely missed by his friends in the association.
SHPSA COMMITTEE - 2001
President: Gill Mathie
Vice Presidents: Steve Stuart, John Darmody
Secretary: Odette Neumann
Treasurer: Dinah Haynes
NSW PA Delegates: Gill Mathie, Steve Stuart, Greg Davidge
Alternate Delegates: Toni Davidge, Odette Neumann, Janet Sillis, David Taylor
Zone Chief Umpire: David Sillis
Deputy Chief Umpire: Michael Gorman
Zone Captain: Greg Davidge
Deputy Zone Captains: Alison Mathie, Wayne Yeo
Horse Welfare Officers: Helen Mathie, Wayne Yeo, Jason Smith
Public Officer: Tom Clear
Publicity Officer: Odette Neumann
Judiciary: Steve Stuart, Gill Mathie, Toni Davidge, Odette Neumann, Libby Taylor
Patrons: Frank Hallam, Tom Clear, Brian Luton
Grading Officer: Greg Davidge
Coaching Director: Janet Sillis
Equipment Officer: Toni Davidge
Zone Selectors - Open: Jim Davidge, David Sillis, Michael Gorman
Zone Selectors Juniors: Wayne Yeo, Gill Mathie, John Darmody
Selector Co-ordinator: Gill Mathie
Senior State Selector: Greg Davidge
Junior State Selector: Gill Mathie
SHPSA TOURNAMENT DATES 2001 SEASON
24-25 Feb - Canberra Show (Int Mixed) 10-11 Mar - Jnr/Int Coaching Lake George - Canberra Grounds 24-25 Mar - HALL 28-31 Mar - Toowoomba Show (Snr Mixed) 30-31 Mar - Muswellbrook Show (Int Open) 7-8 April - BUNGENDORE Date TBA - Royal Easter Show (Snr Mixed) 21-22 April - YASS 28-29 April - LAKE GEORGE 5-6 May - Free 12-13 May - NSW Club Championships - Maitland (Hunter Valley) 19-20 May - BURRADOO 26-27 May - BRAIDWOOD 2-3 June - CANBERRA ROYALS 9-10 June - NSW Zone Championships - Glen Valley (New England) 16-17 June - Free 23-24 June - MOSS VALE 30 June 1 July - LAKE GEORGE - at Moruya 7-8 July - ZONE END OF YEAR - Canberra Grounds(To be confirmed)
CLUB NEWS
MY OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY EXPERIENCE
The high, excited feeling of adrenaline rushed through 120 horses and riders as we cantered into Homebush Stadium to welcome the world to the Sydney Olympics and carried the Aussie flag.
140 horses and riders had assembled at Castle Hill showground 10 days before the opening to practise our routine with Sgt Don Eyb (Head of the NSW mounted police), our instructor.
Each night we would load our horses onto floats and trucks and head off in a convoy to the stadium for rehearsals. These were usually scheduled for 11 pm to 1 am. Down under the stadium we would walk, riding in half-sections (pairs) through a long concrete tunnel, the noise was deafening but the horses didn't seem to mind, to emerge at the appropriate entrance to start our rehearsal.
The horses were mainly stockhorse types and had to be chestnut, black, brown or bay in colour and quiet. The majority of horses had campdraft or polocrosse experience and many were from the Hunter Valley region. Steve Davidge from Temora riding his beautiful chestnut horse and Gordon Hughes, a lighthorse brigade rider from Canberra were the only other people from this area.
The horse I rode is a 9 year old ASH gelding named Redspark, bred by Clive Cotterill, Delegate and owned and trained by my late husband. Riding in the ceremony was a fitting tribute to his memory.
It's amazing what people and horses can do when you really "stretch" yourself. We were all pretty hopeless when we started training way back in March at Scone showground.
It was a privilege to be there.
Karen Mackie
LAKE GEORGE TO THE RESCUE
For several years, Canberra Royals, one of the zones oldest clubs, has been struggling to keep going. Despite having excellent facilities, a competent and dedicated management team (successfully running the NSW Club Championships in 1995) and money in the bank, the club could not attract a core of experienced players to provide a platform from which to grow.
The club canvassed local pony clubs, offered player incentives, approached past players, advertised, sent out fliers, sought help from the zone, but all to no avail!
For the 2000 season, Canberra could not field a team and no carnival was held. The handful of people that had kept the club going for the past 5 years were tired and disheartened.
It looked as though yet another opportunity to play polocrosse would be gone and another venue would disappear for ever but thanks to the foresight of one of the zones largest and most successful clubs there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
Lake George have come forward and offered to share their resources and experience in a bid to keep the club going and to maintain the grounds for the benefit of the whole polocrosse community.
It is a lot of hard work to keep one club going, but to share resources to keep two going is a huge undertaking.
We have heard time and time again what a shame it would be to loose Canberra. This is the best opportunity for survival yet, and it is in the best interest of polocrosse that everyone gives as much support and encouragement to Lake George as possible.
There is no guarantee what will happen to Canberra Royals in the future but for now there is still going to be a Canberra Carnival, the grounds are secured, and there is some hope for the future.
Well done Lake George!
Barry Lind
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE: "Coopers Lass" a bay 14 year old EFA registered mare by "Kings Glen" out of "Kashmere". Only played 3 seasons. Lass is a sound, strong mare, 15hh, would suit B Grade polocrosse otherwise she would love to become a mum. In condition she is extremely fast and responsive, a very willing worker. She's a bargain at $650.00. Call Odette on 02 6238 2300.
Australia 
