Year 2004 Club Presentation & Season Report

The Adelaide club enjoyed a successful 2004 season of polocrosse, despite failing to come home with the silverware. Adelaide was fortunate to field a full C grade team, and often provided a 3rd section to fill in with other guest riders. C grade is the grass roots for our sport and it is encouraging to see a strong team of riders. The enthusiasm of young James Pritchard and Michael Hynaman will ensure that other C graders keep up with the pace and look to improve their skillset. Maria Lucy looked very much at home playing a One, and had a great season, and there will be no holding back Julie Forknall after she managed a game in B Grade.

Adelaide B Grade managed to maintain a consistent team format and will look to feature in more finals play next season. It was great to see Clint Prior out on the field again, and well done to Bridgette VanDenBrink who stepped up to be a regular B grade starter.

Although failing to field a complete A grade team, it was great to see new member Shane Kirsch mix it with the regulars.
Not forgetting our Subbies... It won't be long before the junior Hochuli section is out on the field, and with new facilities on the horizon Ben, Amy and Kate will soon be joined by the Lucey and Tremellen juniors, as coaching at pony club level becomes a priority.

A vote of thanks must go to the Naracoorte club, who staged a final tournament in place of the Adelaide tournament. With playing fields in the Adelaide environs difficult to book for tournament play, it will be a welcome season next year as we christen our own home grounds and look forward to regular tournament play.

There's nothing quite like the building of a club to draw a group of like minded people together. No sooner had the season finished and the Adelaide Club was sending out the reminders that we have playing fields to prepare and a club shed to erect. Needless to say the working bees seem to have been endless and it is a credit to the Adelaide club members who have turned up each weekend to undertake this work.
Our first working bees on the playing fields consisted of rock picking in ankle deep dust! As the weeks have progressed, we are still rock picking but now we are working in mud! The fields have been seeded with a winter Fescue grass, and already the grey soil is taking on a green hue. In spring we will re-seed with a Kikuyu grass that will eventually overtake the Fescue. We are assured we will be playing at Lobethal in 2005.

The fields are set down below the clubhouse and are surrounded by a battened runoff area, which will provide ideal spectator viewing. Overlooking the three fields is the clubhouse, providing a canteen and a shady veranda from which to watch the action and sip a cold one.

As well as the clubhouse, we are fortunate to share the larger established sport and recreation centre. This modern recreation centre will provide full bar and dining facilities, as well as change rooms, showers and toilets. Additionally an area has been set aside for camping and parking of trucks and floats. Adelaide Polocrosse Club can be proud of the facilities it will offer visitors, and we look forward to the historic occasion next season when we ride out onto our own playing fields.

Results following the club presentation lunch on Sunday 20th June.

George Lucey Trophy (club person) - Ian Iles
Jim Munroe Trophy (encouragement award) - Julie Forknall

Richard Maurovic Trophy (Best Horse and Rider)
Overall Winner - Matt Prior
A Grade - Matt Prior
B Grade - Craig Tremellen
C Grade - Paul Pritchard

Richard Maurovic with the grade winners: Paul Pritchard (C grade), Craig Tremellen (B Grade) and Matt Prior (A Grade)

Richard Maurovic presenting Matt Prior with the Best Horse and Rider award.