Aussie Selectors Spoilt for Choice

Naming the team to defend Australia’s title in the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007 formed the much-anticipated highlight of this week’s national polocrosse championships in NSW.

Players from NSW and Western Australia dominated the final line-up, with hopefuls from Victoria and Queensland amongst the possible reserves to be named prior to 31 December 2006.

National Executive Officer Mrs Jane Cartwright said final selection went right to the wire this afternoon at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park near Sydney, site of the 2006 national polocrosse titles (3-8 October).

This week's competition saw a squad of 18 players vie for a place in the national team of eight for next April's prestigious competition. Thousands packed the main field to hear national president Mr Peter Crauford announce the team after a nail-biting wait during the final 48 hours of competition, which concluded at 4.30 pm today, Sunday 8 October 2006.

The selectors' job was said to be extremely difficult because of the breadth and depth of talent in the original squad. The elite athletes who have impressed national selectors throughout the year and made the cut to play for Australia at Morgan Park in Warwick on Queensland's Southern Downs include:

2003 team captain Tanya Hollow has been re-named to lead the national team in 2007. Vice captain is Troy Henry who held that position in the 2003 team.

Commenting on the team, national coach Ross Shepherd said the line-up included three players from the victorious 2003 World Cup, plus a lot of new, young talent. He said, "The inclusion of all four men players from New South Wales reflects the fact that for almost 20 years they have dominated the men's competition nationally.

"Amongst the four ladies selected for the team is 2003 Cup winning captain, Tanya Hollow from NSW as well as 2003 campaigner Jane Cooper from WA. The Western Australians have been very strong in the ladies competition for about five years as shown in these selections," Mr Shepherd added.

Mr Shepherd will be deputised by coaching veteran Noel Challis from Halliday's Point in NSW, who assisted him in 2003. Team manager is Michael Jarmain from Albury, NSW who managed the Australian Mixed Team's Irish tour in 2004.

Still in the line-up for the reserve positions are: Kristy Crook WA, Kylie Gotham NSW, Katie Grimmond WA, Elissa Koch NSW, Alison Mathie NSW, Annette Radford VIC, Gregory Davidge*, Stephen Davidge NSW, Robert Sibley NSW plus Cameron Shepherd from the world cup host club, Warwick, Qld.

Meanwhile for Australia's 2007 campaign the national body, the Polocrosse Association of Australia has established a high performance committee to assist in the broader aspects of the Australian team's Cup preparation. The committee includes:

• Jill Clarke - Braidwood, NSW Current National Coaching Director
• Peter Dowsley - Coleraine, VIC Managed 2003 Australian team
• Tanya Hollow - Gulgong, NSW 2003 Australian Team Captain and youngest member of the committee
• Kent Wells - Coulson, QLD 2005 Australian Coach. 2003 & 2007 Chief Horse Selector

Polocrosse Association of Australia President, Mr Peter Crauford said, "I am confident that from a very strong pool of talent, selectors have chosen the team they believe will deliver Australia's best chance for retaining the cup. These players are highly skilled and hungry to defend the title." Mr Crauford is also President of the International Polocrosse Council.

The Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007 will be held 23:29 April 2007 at Morgan Park Warwick. Eight nations will compete - see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup.