APRIL 2006 NEWSLETTER

No 2/06

STATE NEWS

NSWPA PRESIDENTS REPORT - AGM
25 FEBRUARY 2006 - DUBBO

It gives me pleasure to present my report for the year of 2005. This being my second year as State president I am pleased with the progress we are making. We all have many hard-working members to thank for another successful year.

The Board members have all been working hard to improve our State with such issues as registration process; insurance and reduction in State membership along with the selection process and getting the selectors and coaches working closer together with State teams. I am sure that they will continue to work together and so further benefit everybody in the State.

I thank John Forsyth, David Badior, Allan Ross, Ann Anderson and Marg Lane, our new sub-junior chairperson, all of whom are doing a good job in their role as chairpersons.

The selectors themselves also have a very important and sometimes thankless job. I feel all of you are trying to reach the best outcome for the State.

The Coaching Director, Bill Bleechmore, along with Noel Challis our head coach with their zone coaching directors are all trying to make this whole process work for the benefit of us all, players, families and administration.

Chris Bourke has also played a major role as the NSW Chief Umpire. This role is quite demanding with responsibilities and fair judgement, which Chris has conducted at a high standard.

The Club Championships at Muswellbrook was a very good tournament of high-class polocrosse from the sub junior competition to the men's competition. The 75 teams, all very well presented, showed the dedication of players and families to our wonderful sport. I thank the Muswellbrook Club on a job well done conducting such a large tournament.

I was unable to attend Bingara where the State Zone Championships were held. With approx 70 teams of very high standard, I congratulate the Bingara Club for hosting this great event so successfully.

Galloping Gully Club hosted the reciprocal visit to the QLD v NSW Shell Cup challenge. Unfortunately I was again unable to be there. With 70 plus teams attending, this must mean our sport is in a healthy position.

Congratulations to Bones Falkiner who was given the honour of being made a life member of the North West Plains Zone Association at this tournament.

Our thanks go out to Terry Blake and the team putting everything together at the Royal Sydney Show. This is our most important showcase as far as show competitions go. To the parents of the sub junior teams who contributed so much to making this a successful event, thank you.

We also thank and congratulate all the other clubs that sent teams to other state championships this year - Macksville making the men's final at the QLD Club Championships and to Lake George who travelled to Victoria in April to win the Victorian Club Championships. It is great to see people travel to play against different competition.

I know I can't mention everybody but the work of Paul Carter as our "Minister for overseas tours" for both incoming and outgoing correspondence has been of great assistance to the State since he has been doing the job. Thanks Paul.

Also to Toni Davidge who is responsible for all the State uniforms over the years, thanks to her for a job well done, as it is quite a large one.

I'd like to thank Debbie Craig for her professional touch in the treasury department, a job that Debbie has devoted a lot of hours to, thank you.

Our State Secretary, Helen Stapleton whose job becomes more demanding as we go on. Thank you for all your efforts.

I must acknowledge the work Bill Bleechmore has done in helping develop our five-year plan and budget. This is probably the most important job, as we will rely on it for our funding. So thanks Bill for all your support and especially your support to me over the year.

In summary I feel we are going along well as we head into changing times and I feel that if we are all open and honest with one another and do our best to help our sport, it will only go ahead.

Gill Mathie
President NSWPA

Overseas Visitors - 2006

NSW Polocrosse will be hosting the following visitors this year:

• NSWPA/USAPA exchange US Under16/ Under 18 team.
  The USA Team of 8 players, coach and manager will tour from 24-25 June to 8-9 July.
• PAA/UKPA under 16 UK Team.
  The UK Team of 8 players, coach and manager will tour from 29-30 July to 19-20 August.
• NSWPA/NZPA two NZ Juniors.
  The NZ Juniors will tour from 1-2 July to 22-23 July.
• Two NZ World Cup Squad Selections.
  The NZ World Cup Crews will be playing at Muswellbrook and Singleton Carnivals.

The above dates are still provisional except the NZ World Cup Squads.

The PAA have liaised with North West Plains to host the UK Team leaving host familles required for the USA and NZ Juniors. Two offers have been received to host some of USA Players from families of the 2005 Tour.

It is unfortunate that some zones have no fixtures during the dates of the visits. This always seems to concentrate the hosting in the Hunter and North West Plains Zones. This does not have to be the case however, if the host families are prepared to travel to out of zone fixtures to ensure that their guests get as much polocrosse as they can.

My job in all of this is as follows. I organise the logistics of the trip such as Mini Bus Hire etc and I am responsible for meeting at the Airport and despatching on the way home. I usually try to meet the host families at a convenient point to marry everyone up or bring the team/players to the first carnival. I also assume responsibility of the team/players after the final carnival. The host families need to provide horses and playing equipment including saddles but not racquets and helmets.

If anyone in your zone is interested in hosting the US Team or NZ Juniors please get them to contact me by the end of this month.

Paul Carter,
NSWPA Tour Co-coordinator.
Tel: 02 4362 1336 or 0407 532 012
Fax: 0282115244

INSURANCE MATTERS

Neville Cheverton from Marsh Pty Ltd, the PAA's insurance broker, addressed members at the Half-Yearly Council Meeting of the NSWPA in February. Neville fielded questions on insurance:

If an event other than a tournament is being held, is it covered under policy and do clubs need to advise insurance company?

• Don't need to advise insurance company
• If the event is a sanctioned club function then it is covered
• If unsanctioned event the policy will NOT cover

Is practising on private property other than on normal grounds covered?

• If the practice is sanctioned by the club
• Make sure alternative venue is of same standard as normal grounds (risk management)

If umpires see on field rules being broken and don't do anything, what happens?

• Rules are there for safe play
• If rules are in place to control the sport - stick to them
• Don't turn a blind eye
• Court will not allow claims if umpires don't follow "Duty-of-Care" properly
• Umpires need to be on the ball all the time and need to know all rules

If a player is intoxicated, who is liable?

• Anyone who can be named in a suit (committee member, team mate, umpire)
• Anyone who has control over the event
• Anyone who breached "Duty-of-Care"
• When it comes to sport don't drink

Are volunteers covered?

• Policy covers volunteers
• Recommend that all clubs use a "Volunteer Register" which shows name, contact details, type of work undertaken etc)

What happens with kids driving vehicles?

• Not allowed in any public area and there is no insurance cover if this happens

Indemnity Membership/Insurance

• Coaches/umpires don't need to have indemnity cover
• Only need to be a social member of the club and complete a state registration form

Are members covered travelling to/from practices and tournaments?

• Yes they are covered

ZONE NEWS

W.A. JUNIOR TOUR OF SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS - ITINERARY
11/04/06 to 26/04/06

11/04/06 - Junior team arrives in Canberra and travels by bus to Moruya with Southern Highland members. All team members, coach and manager will stay at the Reid Family property at Mogo.
12/04/06 - The loaned horses will be assembled at the Reid property. Three hour Clyde River lunch boat cruise.
13/04/06 - Morning at Mogo Zoo. In afternoon back to grounds for allocation of horses.
14-15/04/06 - Compete at the Eurocoast tournament on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Dinner and a dance on the Friday and Saturday nights.
16/04/06 - Attend Moruya Rodeo.
17/04/06 - The team will leave the coast by bus and travel to Bungendore where they will be billeted with families in the Bungendore area.
22-23/04/06 - Compete at the Yass Tournament.
26/04/06 - Depart Canberra and fly home to WA.

Job Allocations For Zone Carnival 27-28 May

JUNIORS COMPETE AT ROYAL CANBERRA SHOW
25 FEBRUARY 2006

Lake George Colours - Kyal Martin, Jade Baker, Daniel Beachamp,
Brittney Jones, Brittney Brousek, Aimie Cahill and Zoe Wheelhouse

Canberra Colours - Shelli Reid, Claire Gee, Emma Lidgard, Danni Reid, Pat Clarke, Sam Darmody

CLUB NEWS

DOT SILLIS - MONARO WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Reprinted from the Bungendore Mirror 22/3/06

Well known Bungendore identity Dot Sillis has been named the Monaro Woman of the Year. The award which celebrates the International Women's Day was presented by the Member for Monaro Steve Whan.

Dot was nominated by Robert Munday for services given in the past and still continuing in a wide range of community activities.

Over the years Dot was more likely to be found in the 'engine room' than on the 'stage'.

Her activities have included the Bungendore War Memorial Hall, Anzac Day luncheons, the Bungendore Tennis Club, the Bungendore Rodeo, the Bungendore Show Committee, the Bungendore Carers Association, the Bungendore Senior Citizens Club, the Bungendore View Club and the Bungendore Bowls and Sports Club.

Mr Whan said "Dot has been a valued volunteer in the Bungendore community. This award provides a wonderful opportunity to recognise our unsung heroes".

The Braidwood Club turns 50

The Braidwood Club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in June - the Club was established in 1956. The Club will be celebrating its birthday with a dinner dance at its tournament. Previous players will be invited back to Braidwood to join in the festivities.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to David Lang and Anne Patterson who were married in early December. We wish you all the best for your future together.

Best wishes are also extended to Letty Hallam for a speedy recovery from her recent accident.

SHPSA PUBLICITY OFFICER:
Odette Neumann

Ph/Fax: 02 6238 2300
Mobile: 0429 489 613