Amongst the 10,000 participants soon to converge on the Gold Coast for the 2006 Pan Pacific Masters Games will be a passionate and highly-skilled group whose game is sometimes referred to as 'rugby on horseback'.
The sport is actually called Polocrosse and it is one of only three sports invented in Australia (1938).
Not only did Australia invent the game, it is the current world champion – that is until the title is challenged in Queensland next April at the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup. (For more information see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup)
Polocrosse combines elements of polo, lacrosse and netball and is a team game of great speed, skill and action. This combination provides a great spectator sport in an atmosphere which is heightened by the thunder of galloping hooves because under each player is half a tonne of horse flesh.
As an amateur sport, Polocrosse attracts whole families as it is determined to remain affordable. They must be on the right track, because participation in the sport grew at an enviable 18% in 2005 (source: Polocrosse Association of Australia).
Polocrosse players begin in sub-juniors from the age of seven and continue through their 40s when they first qualify for masters. Many polocrosse clubs have two and three generations in one family still playing the game. The most senior of the 300 plus players taking to the polocrosse masters fields at Carrara, will be a 79 year old from NSW. Also playing will be former Australian representative players Chris Franklin (Qld), Craig Cameron (Vic) and Neville Gilpin (NSW).
WHAT:
2006 Pan Pacific Masters Games - features Polocrosse competition in three divisions: Open 40 plus, Open 50 plus and Women 40 plus. Canteen and bar operate on site. Breakfast daily from 6.30am, plus Friday night Reef and Beef dinner and entertainment.
Sunday 5 November 8am-3pm (presentations to follow)
Please note that if heat conditions warrant, competition will commence at 7am daily
Admission is FREE
CONTACT:
World Cup Media: Michele Cozzi 07 4683 4181 or
Polocrosse Masters: Christine Franklin 07 5544 1132 or Chris Franklin 0408 876164.
The Pan Pacific Masters has been held on the Gold Coast every two years since 1998, the Gold Coast Polocrosse Club has been hosting masters’ games since the beginning. See www.mastersgames.com.au.
Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007 Chairman, Mr Les Fraser said "Interest in masters is growing both domestically and internationally. These players generally have a life-time of Polocrosse in their blood, and they have the bonus of time and money to travel great distances to participate in competitions."
This year's polocrosse masters will travel from every state in Australia, as well as from New Zealand for the competition, which will be conducted under the Polocrosse Association of Australia rules.
The Pan Pacific Masters Games will be the last major polocrosse competition prior to next year's Ridley Polocrosse World Cup, which is expecting 40,000 to pass through the gates at Warwick's Morgan Park.
The Ridley Polocrosse World Cup will be held at Morgan Park, Warwick on Queensland’s Southern Downs 23:29 April 2007. See www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup.
