Southern Highlands Polocrosse
Sub Association Inc

MARCH 2002 NEWSLETTER

Issue No 2/2002

STATE NEWS

NSWPA
Half Yearly Council Meeting
Dubbo - 2nd March 2002

New Helmet Rule

Although the PAA will not be allowing a "phase-in" period for the currently approved helmet AS/NZ3838, it has been recognised that availability of the helmets is limited in some areas. Therefore, the State Chief Umpire will allow players to use their previous helmet if they can show proof that an approved helmet is on order, ie copy of purchase order, receipt etc. (copy to be forwarded to Zone Secretary). At the present time it is estimated that orders will be filled within 2-4 weeks.

Rule Change 27(a)
Correct Dress and Gear

From 2003 it will be compulsory for all players to play in "white" jodphurs or breeches. Currently the word "white" does not appear in the rule book, but will be inserted in the next re-print.

WORLD CUP
May 2003 - Warwick Qld

Seven nations will be competing in the World Cup next year in Queensland. The PAA has asked for NSW's assistance in providing 35 horses for this event. As an incentive, every person who supplies a horse will each receive $500 plus tickets to all events and the dinner. The estimated cost of staging the event has been calculated at approximately $120,000. The NSWPA has allocated $10,000 towards the World Cup and should receive most, if not all, of the money back.

Hope Estate Winery Sponsorship Deal

Delegates received a presentation by Leanne Brabander, Marketing Manager for Hope Estate Winery which is located in the Hunter Valley.
 
"Hope Estate would like to offer support to both individual clubs and the NSW Polocrosse Association with a two tiered proposal.
 
"Hope Estate can support individual clubs by supplying them with discounted wine on a buy two cases get one case free offer.
 
"Hope Estate will donate $500 to the NSWPA if 200 cases of wine are purchased throughout the year (does not include the Vitner's Club). If over 300 cases are sold in a one year period, Hope Estate will donate $1000.
 
The Polocrosse Hope Estate Vitners Club
 
"$10 from each case sold through the Polocrosse Vitners Club will be forwarded to the NSWPA.
 
"For every member of the Hope Estate Polocrosse club there is the potential to make at least $20 per year - 100 members will raise $2000 per year for the NSWPA.
 
Details
Initially the club member receives a mixed half dozen of Hope Estate wines for an introductory price of $89.00.
 
The Vitners Club 2002 member automatically receives 1 dozen bottles of wine every year - 6 bottles in February and another 6 bottles in August.
 
From time to time members will be contacted with special offers or notice of events. They will also receive 10% off any purchases from Hope Estate (excluding sale wines)"
 
Hope Estate has already donated rugs for the juniors attending the Nationals and are keen to support Polocrosse in any way they can.
 
If you would like more information on the Polocrosse Vitner's Club or sponsorship arrangement, please contact Leanne Brabander on 02 6579 1161 or check out their web site at www.hopeestate.com.au.

COACHING
JUNIORS & INTERMEDIATES

A coaching clinic for Juniors and Intermediates will be held at the Bungendore Showgrounds from Monday 22nd to Thursday 25th April. This is being held in conjunction with the Australian/New Zealand Junior Test Series scheduled either side of this week.
 
For more information contact Janet Sillis, Zone Coaching Director on 6238 1550

ZONE NEWS

Royal Canberra Show 2002
Max Walters Trophy

2002 at the Royal Canberra Show presented a number of differences to previous years. Firstly, the weather was more polocrosse-friendly - instead of the games being played in 35 deg heat on hard, dry grounds, horses and riders enjoyed "spring-like" temperatures of 24 to 26 deg and a softer playing surface thanks to the 5 inches of rain which had fallen over the previous couple of weeks. Also the finals differed from previous years, but more on that later.
 
The Zones competing for the Max Walters Trophy this year were Central West, Southern Highlands, South West Slopes and Western Districts.
 
Unfortunately the invited South West Riverina were unable to send a team and at the last moment Western Districts was approached and, much to the relief of everyone, jumped at the chance to play at the Royal Canberra Show, one of the premier exhibition events on the polocrosse calendar.
 
First up on Saturday morning was Central West against Southern Highlands. The Highlanders copped a beating and were defeated 12 goals to 5. Next up South West Slopes made short work of Western Districts with the final score reading 15 goals to 4.
 
After lunch South West Slopes pitted their strength against Central West and won that game 13 goals to 8. The final match for the day was Southern Highlands against Western Districts. Whatever the Highlanders had for lunch seemed to do the trick as they notched up 16 goals against 2.
 
All teams stayed at the Showgrounds to take part in the Grand Parade. Well over 400 horses of all descriptions paraded in the central arena while cattle, goats, sheep, tractors, horse-drawn vehicles and an assortment of other vehicles lapped the arena. It was quite a spectacular site.
 
The official dinner was held in the cosy function area of the Old Canberra Inn. It was a pleasant coincidence that a meeting of all State Umpires was being held at the AIS the same weekend and we enjoyed their company for dinner. Included in the party was Peter Crauford - PAA President, Pam Coulson - PAA Secretary, as well as Max Walters - International Polocrosse President, Karin Stockman - National Coaching Director and Laughlin Ross, President of the NSWPA.
 
The evening was also an opportunity to serve as a stage for a couple of important presentations. Firstly Tom Clear was presented with a beautiful statue of a horse and foal in recognition of his longstanding work for polocrosse. Next Laughlin presented Gill Mathie with his NSWPA Vice-Presidents badge.
 
By 10.30 pm most had either drifted back to camp at the Canberra Royals Polocrosse grounds or headed to Clancy's to party on a bit longer. Rumour had it that Laughlin and Gill solved many of the worlds problems back at the truck until the wee small hours!!
 
Sunday morning's games started at 9 am with Southern Highlands meeting their long standing adversary, South West Slopes. First chukka was even at 1 goal a piece. The second chukka had the Highland men upping the lead 5 goals to 3. Third chukka was even goal scoring again by the ladies taking the score to 8 goals to 6 in favour of Southern Highlands. The last chukka had the Highland men scoring 6 goals to 1 with the final score line reading 14 goals to 7 in favour of Southern Highlands.
 
With one more game to go, it was still not known who would be playing in the finals in the main arena. So there was much interest in the game between Central West and Western Districts. Our visitors from the West improved their scoring rate, but were unable to defeat Central West with that game finishing at 16 goals to 5.
 
However, it was still not clear whether it would be Southern Highlands or South West Slopes meeting Central West in the finals. Preliminary calculations put Southern Highlands in front, but a more technical formula was applied by Bill Bleechmore using his calculator based on percentages and the result endorsed the earlier findings putting Southern Highlands a whisker in front of South West Slopes.
 
This was a blow to South West Slopes as they were now denied the opportunity to defend the trophy they had won the four previous years. However, it was to be Central West against Southern Highlands and the players were ready, the umpires, Steve Davidge and Mark Barr-Smith, were also ready.

The Final

There was a sizeable crowd both in the grandstand and around the arena as Brian Luton, the announcer for the weekend, introduced the players as they entered the field and shook hands.
 
Nerves steadied as the first ball was thrown in. First point on the board went to the Southern Highland ladies, but Central West hung on. The score at the end of the first six minutes was 2 goals to 1 in favour of the home side. Now it was the mens turn - this chukka resulted in the Highlands men scoring 3 goals to the Wests 4. At the half way mark the score was locked at 5 all. Third chukka resulted in 2 goals a piece for the ladies, now the score line read 7 all. The crowd was loving it, even non-polocrosse people were showing interest in the game. Brian Luton continued his excellent commentary, explaining the finer details of the game and mingled it with a mini-history of polocrosse.
 
The final chukka - in six minutes it would be known which zone would have the honour of having their name engraved on the Max Walters Trophy for 2002. Umpire Davidge threw the ball in and it was quickly picked up by Central West who converted it to a point. Next Southern Highlands found the ball and evened up the score. However, Central West found the ball on the next two occasions to put them 2 goals in front. Another quick goal by Heath Mathie gave the Highlanders some hope. But time was nearly up, and as the ball was thrown in for the last time, Central West eagerly claimed it and added another point to their score.
 
"TIME!!" was called and Central West were jubilant on winning the game 11 goals to 9.
 
Congratulations to Central West on their success. However, polocrosse was the winner for the weekend with all games drawing good crowds. Our thanks to the teams who were turned out beautifully for all games. Also a special thankyou to Western Districts for travelling down at such short notice enabling us to run an exciting competition.
 
Lastly, many thanks to our two floating reserves, Kathryn Hallam and Steven Darmody, who were saddled and ready to fill in if required for every game.
 
The teams competing were:

Well done to all players and congratulations again to Central West.

SHPSA PUBLICITY OFFICER: Odette Neumann
Email:
Ph/Fax: 02 6238 2300 (ah); 02 6280 7677 (bh)
Mobile: 0429 489 613