OCTOBER 2005 NEWSLETTER

Issue 3/05

STATE NEWS

The State AGM was held in September following the show. All went very well with a few changes of positions. We thank Chris Wittig for being the State Chief Umpire for the last 4 years Jo Tremellen as treasurer for the past year. Let us assist and support those who have taken on new positions in our state. The position holders for the forth-coming season are as follows:

Please do not hesitate to approach either someone in your club or appropriate person in the state if you have anything you wish to discuss.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2005 AGM

It is with pleasure I present the presidents report for the 2004-05 polocrosse season.

Once again we held two successful coaching clinics at Naracoorte and Yorke Peninsula. These clinics were made possible by the funding from The Office for Recreation & Sport highlighting the need for an active administration body to procure these grants. We also have two new policies to be considered and adopted as further requirements for ongoing funding.

Tournaments were held throughout the season including the state championships. The Adelaide tournament unfortunately was cancelled as the fields were not quite ready which was very disappointing but unavoidable.The state championships held at these grounds proved to be very successful, a pleasing outcome after a lot of hard work. Thankyou to all the clubs for holding tournaments and I must encourage all members of our state to support all clubs in these endeavours to enable our state to grow and become more cohesive.

We once again were able to sponsor three players to attend the Elite Junior camp held in Canberra in April this year . Emily Clark, Sophie Ford and Michael Heynemen along with coach Drew Gurney gained valuable skills and knowledge from this experience.

It was disappointing that the Australian Zone Championships had to be cancelled, perhaps 2007 will be a better year.

The Royal Show Challenge was supported this year with teams from NSW and Victoria. This is a great opportunity to showcase our sport, I thank all those who participated.

On a national level there are a few points of importance. Compliance with yards needs to be met by all clubs by the end of this year. We have a three year contract with our insurance company Marsh, with any adjustment required to be done at the end of each year. A board is now in place at national level to help govern our sport. It comprises of 5 members who are appointed by the state presidents. Currently all board members have been appointed for 12 months. At next National AGM 2006 half of the board members will be replaced and further members elected by state presidents for a two year term allowing for continuance of the board to take place.

As a state we need to be aware of the need for ongoing fundraising, the state auction raised $1156.37 but I feel it has run its course and perhaps we need to think of some new ideas.

In closing, I would like to thank my executive committee for all their hard work and encourage all members to keep supporting and enjoying your great sport.

Thankyou, David Prior President

Points of Interest from the AGM

• Nomination fees played at tournaments have increased for senior players, junior players remain the same.
  Senior:- $25.00
  Junior:- $5.00
• Selection tournaments x 3
• Insurance for senior and junior players has decreased. To date the trial and casual player remains. Awaiting confirmation of insurance premiums following National meeting early December.
• Sub - Juniors are now required to pay a very small insurance premium, all for the safely of the game and all involved.
• Please refer to club secretaries.
• No state auction this year could all clubs/players brainstorm ideas by January's exec. meeting.
• Players points being revised by selectors in December.
• Know of a business or individual who would like to advertise in the Polocrosse Yearbook for 2006 contact state secretary.

Player Data Base Forms

Following the AGM each player, including all sub-juniors are required to fill one in and it must be sent/faxed to state secretary prior to playing.
Included on the forms is an expression of interest to be a player, coach or manager at the 2006 Nationals, Sydney.
If you are interested in the above, or thinking about it you need to send/fax the form to state secretary by

30th November 2005
on
83897761.

No late entries will be accepted, refer to PASA selection policy.

If more Player Data Base Form are required, contact club or state secretary.

Policies Adopted by PASA at the AGM

1. Hot Weather Policy
2. Selection Player Policy
3. Harassment Free Policy
4. Alcohol Policy (PAA)

Each club now has a policy folder with all PASA and PAA policies for players to read.
If you would like a copy of a policy, one can be emailed out.

It is important for all nominating for the Nationals 2006 to read the selection policy.

PAA UPDATE

With the changing of the PAA to a Board Structure a new position of National Executive Officer (NEO) has been appointed.

Jane Cartwright has been appointed as the PAA NEO. Her responsibilities are to administratively support the operations of the PAA, undertake project based activities and be of assistance to the States.
In the short time Jane has been appointed there has been great communication between the PAA and states.
Jane has developed a Polocrosse Australia Newsletter called "The Racquet" which will be emailed out very soon.
All information and policies are available on the PAA website:- www.polocrosse.org.au

Expressions of Interest

Nominations are required for PAA:- (Nominations close 31 October 2005

• World Cup Nomination.
  For players, selectors, manager and coach.
• High Performance Committee

Contact state secretary for nomination forms.

Nominations are required for PASA:- (Nominations close 30 November 2005)

• Nationals 2006 Sydney 2nd - 8th October at Camden Park

  1 -7 Men's, Women's,
  8 - 11 Open Mixed
  1 - 7 Open/Mixed Intermediates
  1 - 7 Open/Mixed Juniors
  1 - 7 Sub-juniors
  1 - 7 Masters
  Subject to sufficient nominations in each division

• Elite Junior Camp ? April 2005 at the AIS for interested juniors.

Please complete expressions of interest on your player database form if wishing to nominate for the above.
Visit www.australianpolocrossenationals.com.au for more information or accommodation details.

IDEAS, IDEAS, IDEAS...

For
Polocrosse Stickers for our state - if anyone has an idea/design please forward to Jodie-Ann.

For
Polocrosse National Uniform - also asking for input/ideas/suggestions on our uniform??
How should our state be represented??
Let's brainstorm at a club level and let us know what you think. We need to start organising now!!

The 10th Australian Masters Games
7th-9th October at Lobethal

The wet and wild weather experienced over the weekend of the Masters Games proved the resilience of polocrosse players to get out and have a go whatever the conditions...

In the week prior to the Masters Games, riders and their horses were arriving at Lobethal to ready themselves for three days of polocrosse. Teams participating came from as far as Queensland and Northern Territory and had taken up to six days to travel safely to Lobethal. With time to spare, riders and visitors enjoyed outings to the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills attractions, and enjoyed the camaraderie of a few beverages and barbeques prior to the tournament.

Thursday evening saw an official welcome for players and visitors and anticipation was growing with players looking forward to taking to the fields. Overnight the anticipation washed away, as steady rain settled in. Reports of rainfall in the vicinity of several inches throughout the Adelaide Hills were prevalent. The fields were awash and a decision had to be made to postpone play. Rain continued to fall throughout the day, and concerns were now being raised about how to get the horse trucks off the grounds as access tracks were fast turning to mud.

Saturday morning came with only minor improvements in the weather. A horse and rider were dispatched onto the fields to provide a "pitch report" which ultimately gave the thumbs up. With safety in mind for both horse and rider, the new fields proved to be firm under foot despite the surface cutting up and water pooling.

Let the games begin! After losing a day of play, the draw was adjusted to maximize the number of games that could be played. Play was conducted in three divisions, the open over 40s; open over 50s and open Ladies.

White jodhpurs and bandages soon became black as the mud and water splashed up making for spectacular viewing. Team plans went out the window as the rubber ball failed to bounce in the mud and water, and at times it became lost under foot as players literally dug through the mud hoping to come up with it. Smart passing work to feed the ball to the number one paid dividends and experience from some of the seasoned campaigners saw the top teams notch up good scores in poor conditions.

All credit to the players for enduring the conditions that prevailed, but credit also to Adelaide Club members that stood out in the rain as goal umpires, and time keepers and scorers. The reward for the day was a hearty meal in the Lobethal clubrooms followed by dancing to a local Adelaide band.

Sunday saw a gathering of opinions as to whether play could be staged. The grounds had now turned from being wet to being sticky mud. With a Nationals year on the horizon, players agreed it would be fool hardy to risk their horses. Enough play had been staged to work out a result on percentages, so the club officials set about preparing for the presentations.

Presentations awarded medallions to all participants, and trophies to those that came out on top. With common voice, all praised the organization of the games and the success of the Adelaide Club in staging the Masters Games Polocrosse. Despite the wet weather, the games were held and a result was achieved.

In an effort worthy of mention, the Adelaide club brought in the four wheel drive tractors and started extricating trucks from around the lower ground. No small feat when you consider some of the prime movers were in the vicinity of 15 tonnes! Once out on dry ground, horses were loaded and participants set off on their journey home. They will talk about this event for many years to come! If only to remember the rain and mud.

Results:-
Ladies Division

Open 40's Division

Open 50's Division

Special Awards
Most Mature Lady: Margaret Wheatley
Most Mature Man: Peter Jackson
Best Mud Slide: Gary Gurney and Anthony Old

For more information of the Masters and other polocrosse photos visit www.australianmastersgames.com.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Kym-Marie and David Berkin on the safe arrival of "Olivia" Berkin.