Southern Highlands Polocrosse
Sub Association Inc

DECEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

No 6/06

SHPSA COMMITTEE 2007

President: Garry Hallam
Vice Presidents: Michael Woods and John Rodwell
Secretary: Letty Hallam
Treasurer: Dinah Haynes
Patrons: Carol Gilpin and Brian Luton
Zone Chief Umpire: Michael Gorman
Deputy Chief Umpire: Bruce Greenslade
Zone Captain: Greg Davidge
Deputy Zone Captains: Belinda Anderson and Brett Hart
Public Officer: Anthony Kirk
Publicity Officer: Rachel Hughes
NSW PA Delegates: Garry Hallam, Greg Davidge, Jim Colquhoun
Alternate Delegates: Ann Anderson
Horse Welfare Officers: Michael Gorman, Bruce Greenslade, Andy Mehl, Dinah Haynes and Greg Davidge
Zone Selectors - Open: Jim Davidge, Bruce Greenslade and Daniel Tarlington
Zone Selectors - Jnrs: Garry Hallam, Greg Davidge and Bruce Reid
Selectors Co-ordinators: Bruce Reid (Juniors) and Daniel Tarlington (Open)
Equipment Officer: Burradoo Club
Grading Officer: Dinah Haynes
Coaching Director: Michael Woods
Judiciary: Michael Gorman, Bruce Greenslade, Garry Hallam, Rodney Clarke, Bruce Reid and Pat Hallam

ZONE NEWS

SUB JUNIOR PENALTY

A motion was passed at the Zone AGM that for the 2007 season the Zone will trial a new rule for Sub-juniors regarding the ten-yard throw. To ensure safety the Sub-juniors will not be taking a ten-yard throw; instead they will be able to ride from the penalty spot for ten yards without any interference from other players.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Southern Highlands Zone is currently seeking expressions of interests from Zone Members wishing to be nominated on behalf of the SHPSA for the NSWPA Board. Anyone who is interested can contact Letty Hallam.

SHPSA LIFE MEMBERS

The Southern Highlands Polocrosse Sub Association would like to recognise their Life Members who have contributed to our sport over the years, without them the game would not be what it is today.

• Stan BLUNDELL
• Bob CONNOLLY
• Maureen CONNOLLY
• Carol GILPIN
• Neville GILPIN
• Allan GOLDING
• Jane HALL
• Gayle SILLIS
• Audrey STUART
• Stephen STUART
• Margaret WHEATLEY

PRESIDENTS REPORT 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is my report for the past year as Zone President.

The paper work and information I received was unbelievable to say the least and through that, this year was made so much easier due to the commitment of our new Secretary (Litty) or as we know her Letty Hallam. We also know that early on Letty broke her arm, but this did not effect her commitment to the job. I think anybody who needed any information would agree Letty left no stone unturned. Thankyou very much Letty for a job well done.

Once again it was another tough season, maybe made a little tough due to our club carnivals, along with Club Zone Championships and then the Nationals Championships. This stretched the polocrosse season from March to October, a long time to keep horse/horses in training and then to peak. Our season began in February with the Royal National Capital Show hosting a Junior Polocrosse demonstration which I feel was a success, due to the players and people involved. The winners received a trophy named after our late Patron Mr Tom Clear, who passed away earlier this year.

Then our first carnival started on the 4 March. In April we hosted the WA Junior Team which ran over two weekends by Eurocoast and Yass. WA were the victors of the Trophy donated for the inter competition last year. The Max Walters Trophy to be played for under lights was abandoned due to lack of other Zone Teams, so it was held at our Zone Carnival at Hall.

Most clubs were represented at NSW Club Championships in Maitland, yet another wet and poorly run Championships, as was Muswellbrook last year, the question must be asked how do these zone or clubs get to be able to host such carnivals when there is supposed to be a criteria meant to run them, this also applied to the Zone Championships at Moree.

Further to this in particularly Maitland it seemed as though there was a lot of transfers done, leading up to the club Championships, which I was assured was not out of order, but I do think it was and should be reviewed to stop club, zone and state jumping. It should also be said that if you wish to represent your club, zone or state you should do so to the best of your ability in presentation, pride and respect of fellow Manager, coaches players and horses should be shown at all times.

Our Presentation Night was held at Braidwood in late September, which once again was poorly represented by club members. This is supposed to be your night of nights, but you don't seem to make it that way, if you have any suggestions of how to make a thing of it don't be shy and make a suggestion through your club.

I wish to thank Braidwood for doing their best to host it. Congratulations to all our members, players, supporters who have helped carnivals throughout the year, especially the clubs that hosted visiting teams or visiting players, those who loaned horses and even inviting them into their house as billets, I thank you very much.

A special mention must go to all the Zone members who helped at the nationals in many different areas required.

We must not forget our members that played, coached, Managed a Team and all the supporters ALL DONE OUR ZONE AND STATE PROUD.

Thankyou also must go to my executive for their help throughout the year and I wish the new executive all the best in the coming year.

Garry Hallam
Zone President

CHIEF UMPIRES REPORT

The Southern Highlands Zone can be proud of its standard of Umpiring and general play. We continue to increase the number of ticketed Umpires in the Zone, with many of very good Umpires coming from players who are not necessarily playing A Grade themselves. But they know the rules, and Umpire very well. You do not have to be a good player to be a good Umpire, so congratulations.

Having said that, you would be aware that Alison Mathie was selected as the Zone Umpire as well as Best Female Player for 2006. It may therefore be useful to explain the rationale behind Alison's selection.

Alison always makes herself available to Umpire, covers for her Club members who for various reasons are unable to Umpire at a specific time, and always does a consistent and positive job. She is firm, but fair to all players. These are the qualities the Zone should recognise and reward.

Most are aware that there have been some concerns raised regarding substitution of horses at the recent Nationals.

Polocrosse should remain a 'one horse sport' where we respect our horses and recognise good horsemanship. I believe the Jacko Sillis trophy for “Dedication and Achievement in Horsemanship” is the highest award the SH Zone can offer.

The majority of players in our Zone do respect their own, and other peoples horses. Let's ensure we keep it that way. Play by the rules, and accept Umpires decisions with good grace. The selection of 5 players in the SH Zone for the World Cup Squad suggests to me that others in the sport also recognise the class of players and horsemanship we have developed in this Zone. They are all local juniors. Congratulations to Aaron on his final selection.

Many people play Polocrosse each weekend and never get involved in the sports administration. The role of Zone Umpire is not overly arduous, but it has its moments. I would like to take this opportunity to formally acknowledge and give my support to members of our Zone who take on larger and often controversial jobs at State and National level. They deserve both our support and our sincere gratitude.

Once again I would like to thank all the people who bring along Umpires horses each weekend. This is something I have said almost every year I have been in this job, but it really is a significant benefit to the sport and the host clubs.

Michael Gorman
Zone Chief Umpire

COACHING DIRECTORS REPORT

We have had a really big year as far as coaching goes.

The year kicked off with a weekend Zone Coaching clinic at Hall in February. There were over 50 participants all of whom learnt a lot thanks to some great coaching as was reported in the Zone newsletter earlier this year.

There has also been extensive coaching at the pony club level throughout the region.

Braidwood Pony Club - Jill Clarke, Richard Clarke, Aaron Clarke and Brett Hart
Michelago Pony Club - Garry Hallam
Bega Pony Club - Wendy Barlow, Assistant Coach Doug Peadon
Bungendore Pony Club Zone 16 - Michael Woods, Bill Heuston, Assistant Coaches Ted Lamb and Mick DeBritt
Crookwell Pony Club Zone 27 – Brett Hart Assistant Coaches Tanya Thompson, Rod & Jenny Edwards
Hall Pony Club Zone 16 - Garry Hallam, Dinah Haynes, Assistant Coaches Anthony Kirk, Belinda Hallam, Will Van Weedenburg and Stacey Robinson
Bredalbane Pony Club - Brett Hart
Taralga Pony Club - Paul Sharman
Sutton Pony Club - Garry Hallam
Gunning Pony Club - Michael Woods
Braidwood School - Jill Clarke

Thanks to the time and effort put in by these people there has been a big resurgence in polocrosse interest at the Pony Club level. Hopefully this can continue into 2007 with the help of NSW Polocrosse. A big thank you to all the coaches and assistant coaches who have contributed throughout the year.

The zone also had a number of representatives coaching and managing at the Nationals recently held at Camden congratulations go to:

Coaches - Garry Hallam and Michael Woods
Managers - Dinah Haynes, Toni Davidge, Jody Mathie, Lorraine Crowe and Jim Colquhoun

There has been a lot of interest in the zone for potential coaches to undertake the Level One Coaching course, because of this we will be able to run the course in Canberra in January or February 2007. At this stage more than 20 people have put their names forward. This level of interest has never occurred in this zone before so thank you to all those involved.

LOG BOOKS PLEASE NOW

Michael Woods
Zone Coaching Director

2007 CARNIVAL DATES

Here is a list of 2007 Carnival dates for the Southern Highlands Zone pending approval by the NSWPA.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wedding bells for Robert Sibley and Jacinta Laidlaw who were married in October. We wish you both all the best for the future.

The Canberra Royals would like to wish Sam Amey & Rachael Hallam all the best for their future. They were married on 2 December.

Congratulations to John & Jamayne Tunks who were blessed with the safe and much anticipated arrival of Jordan Roy Tunks on 24 August 2006.

Best wishes also to Belinda Anderson and Daniel Tarlington who announced their engagement in October. Congratulations to you both.

Mathew O'Brien and Cassie Picker are proud to announce the birth of Halle Erin O'Brien who was born on 31 October 2006. Congratulations to all the O'Brien and Picker families.

POLOCROSSE WORLD CUP 2007

The Southern Highlands Zone would like to congratulate Aaron Clarke on his selection into the Australian World Cup Side. We wish him all the best and I am sure that many Zone members will be heading up to Warwick in April 2007 to support Aaron and his fellow team mates.

You can visit the World Cup website for all the latest news using the following address. www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup.

WANTED

A junior team for a boy to play in. Mathew from Moss Vale is a proficient player and can play any position. Currently MV cannot fill a Junior side so I was wondering if any other club could offer him a place in their Junior teams. Please contact Rebecca Kerin 0411 012 822.

THANK YOU ODETTE

After almost a decade of tireless work for the SHPSA, Odette Neumann has handed the reins over for a well-earned rest.

Many of you will know how efficient and helpful Odette has been in her administrative roles for the Zone and despite not being involved with the playing side of the game has kept us all thoroughly up to date with her newsletters.

It was decided at the SHPSA Zone AGM that I would take over the role as Publicity Officer and try to fill the shoes left behind. So please bear with me as I learn the ropes and feel free to contact me at any stage via email or phone.

But that's it from me for this edition. I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holidays.

SHPSA PUBLICITY OFFICER:
Rachel Hughes
Phone: 02 6238 2604
Mobile: 0404 942 710