Patrons: Carol Gilpin, Stephen Stewart and Brian Luton President: Brian Luton Vice Presidents: Michael Woods and Greg Davidge Secretary: Letty Hallam Treasurer: Dinah Haynes
Public Officer: Anthony Kirk Publicity Officer: Rachel Hughes Chief Umpire: Alison Mathie Deputy Chief Umpire: Michael Gorman Zone Captain: Greg Davidge Vice Captains: Michael Green and Belinda Tarlinton NSW Delegates: Toni Davidge, Greg Davidge, Stephen Davidge and Pat Hallam NSW Delegates (alternates): Garry Hallam and Brian Luton Horse Welfare Officers: Alison Mathie, James Brooks, Janet Jones, Michael Green and Victor Dickson Coaching Director: Michael Woods Junior Development Officer: Jodie Mathie Zone Selectors (Open): Jim Davidge, Pat Hallam (co-ordinator) and Daniel Tarlinton Zone Selectors (Junior): Garry Hallam, Jodie Mathie and Katie O'Brien (co-ordinator) Equipment Officer: Eurocoast Grading Officer: Michael Green Judiciary: Toni Davidge (chairperson), Paul Sharman, Michael Gorman, Jane Woodward and Pat Hallam Auditor: John Little from Canberra Assurance Specialist
PRESIDENTS REPORT 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is my report for the past year as Zone President.
I would like to say thank you for being given the opportunity once again as president of the zone for the 2007 season. My position has been made so much easier by the assistance I have received from my executive members. Special mention must go to our secretary, Letty Hallam who always had her finger on the pulse and passing information she has received to the relevant persons as quickly as she can, and keeping everyone up to date. And I must not forget the tireless hours Dinah puts into her job as our Treasurer.
To all our Zone member who have helped through the past year, especially those who helped out at the nationals in Sydney, whether it was doing a roster for the amenities, cleaning the amenities, to being a player, manager, coach or supporter, I thank you all very much.
Our season this year was very mixed due to the current weather conditions, and unfortunately there were only a few carnivals held within our zone. For those clubs who were able to hold their carnival this year, numbers were down but, everyone did a good job considering the conditions.
As you know it was not just the season that hindered our sport, but the EI which ended all is still with us. I will have an additional report on the EI status regarding future events. Just before the outbreak of EI, Grafton zone championships were held, and once again nomination numbers were down, which makes it very hard for selectors trying to make up teams to be competitive. It seems that the players who put their names down tend to be the one's who will travel to play the game and support OUR zone.
In their defence we from within our zone need to put application in to state to hold these championships, instead of having to be the ones travel to the other end of the state to compete. I would like to also congratulate Aaron Clarke for receiving the award for best male player of the series, and all the club team who made the journey to Warwick to play in the club carnival.
Our appreciation must go to those owners of the horses for the world cup pool and the transportation of the horses to Warwick, seeing as though some of the horses did end up injured.
Once again the AIS elite camp was held and due to the unavailability of horses as they were already being loaned to the world cup pool, I appreciate the horses which were able to be loaned for the camp, a special thanks to those owners.
I would also like to congratulate players, who represented their club, zone, state and country throughout the year, whether it was here or overseas.
The tour for our zone juniors to WA which was set down for late this year, could still happen. I am waiting on a report, which I am suppose to have presented to me before this meeting.
Regarding the zone presentation for this year, due to the EI and bio-security, it has made it difficult to be able to hold the presentation before now. A discussion on this will be held during tonight's meeting.
In summing up, I would like to wish the new executive all the best for their term of office and hope the 2008 season will be a more prosperous season than this year. To all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Garry Hallam Zone President
COACHING DIRECTORS REPORT 2007
Firstly I would like to thank Lorraine Crowe and Rachel Hughes for their help over the last 12 months they have made my job much easier.
In January 2007 we had 16 people attend a Level One Coaching accreditation course held in Yass. Congratulations to the following new coaches;
Jo Reid, Jamie Brooks, Callum Hughes, Cathy Bennett, Dorothy Hughes, Liz Woods, Fiona Wykes, Claydon Butt, Daniel Tarlinton, Belinda Anderson, Doug Peadon, Belinda Cosgrove, Sam Amey, Jim Colquhoun and Peter Blyth.
There were also many coaches who attended Pony Club coaching days. These are as follows;
Bredalbane - Andrew Ellis, Brett Hart, Aaron Clarke, Belinda Anderson, Daniel Tarlinton, Paul Sharman and Michael Woods. Crookwell Zone 27 - Fiona Wykes and Brett Hart. Bungendore Zone 16 - Liz Woods, Peter Blyth, Dinah Haynes, Daniel Tarlinton, Callum Hughes and Dorothy Hughes. Bega - Jo Reid and Doug Peadon. Moruya - Jo Reid (twice). Bungendore - Andrew Ellis.
There was also junior coaching days held at Moruya and Braidwood and a general coaching day held at Hall. The coaches for these were:
Moruya - Jo Reid, Jamie Brooks, Alison Mathie, Dinah Haynes and Michael Woods. Hall - Belinda Cosgrove, Sam Amey, Pat Hallam, Garry Hallam, Dinah Haynes and Michael Woods. Braidwood - Jill Clarke, Jo Reid, Doug Peadon, Andrea Ellis and Michael Woods.
The Coaches and Managers for the zone teams participating at Grafton were:
Coaches - Jim Colquhoun, Jim Davidge, Greg Davidge, Daniel Tarlinton, Pat Hallam, Garry Hallam, Dorothy Hughes and Jo Reid Managers - Ann Anderson, Tanya Thompson, Debbie Hollingsworth and Jodie Mathie.
A big thank you to all the coaches and managers who have taken part in these events over the last 12 months.
Earlier in the year I encouraged all clubs to consider appointing a "club coaching coordinator" in order to facilitate individual club and local pony club coaching. I hope this can go ahead next year and lighten the load on the Zone coaching director as the Southern Highlands Zone now has 47 qualified coaches.
Finally I have to have all log books; this is a legal requirement for maintaining your coaching accreditation and assists in gaining government funds for development of Polocrosse.
Michael Woods Zone Coaching Director
CHIEF UMPIRES REPORT 2007
By my reckoning this is my 4th year as the Southern Highland's Zone Chief Umpire, so there is probably not much new I have to say.
I believe the Zone can, and will in the future, remain proud of its standard of Umpiring and general play. This is evidenced again by a player from our Zone, who has come up through our junior ranks, being selected to play for Australia. Congratulations to Rob Sibley and to the Lake George Club for the support they have given him over the years.
The number of ticketed Umpires in the Zone continues to increase, I congratulate the clubs in the Zone for ensuring that throughout the 2007 season we were always able to field 2 umpires for A and B Grade games.
There has also been a good representation of women umpiring. I suppose if can be Prime Minister, umpiring a game of Polocrosse should not be considered too daunting.
I note the letter from the Bungendore Polocrosse Club requesting more consideration be given to playing parents when doing a draw, allocating umpiring tasks, and nominating sub-junior and junior umpires. I have no hesitation in supporting the Bungendore Club proposal, and in fact would have assumed that all Clubs would actually consider these issues when doing a draw. It seems more than fair. I believe my own club has in the past actively attempted to take these issues into account. We have prevailed upon the likes of Jenny Bell, Fiona Wykes, Janet Jones, Janet Sillis, with Jodie Mathie in a support role, for the sub junior competitions when they have had children playing, and tried to share the load in number of games umpired over a weekend. Anyone who has done a draw knows how difficult it can be, but I agree we need to support playing parents as much as we can.
I also note the proposal from the Lake George Club to allow higher graded players to play young horses in lower competition "non-competitively". I concur with the intent and common sense of the proposal, I think we all do. However the problem comes in the practice and policing of what is "non-competitive", and the willingness of higher graded players to remain genuinely in a non competitive and coaching role for all players.
When the chips are down and your C Grade Club fellows are in the final, you want them to win. On a broom stick a higher grade player can control the result of the game if they want to. I have seen some terrific examples of where it has worked very well. Unfortunately I have also seen the total demoralization of adult beginners as they 'learn' from the big boys, and we run the risk of losing those new players. I can't see how it can be policed and work, without it being abused by some.
It is an issue that has been discussed again and again over the years. One suggestion was green horse chukka days, and green horse chukkas at carnivals. Unfortunately both have received limited support from both players and those doing the draws. Perhaps these proposals need to be more actively pursued before being discarded. Or is there not enough demand?
You often see at the end of the day a number of people throwing the ball around on young horses - should we have a Zone Green Horse Committee to whom you can express interest in non competitive chukkas when fields are vacant or at the end of play on a Saturday. It may mean an extra cost for the ambulance, but that is perhaps what we need to do as a Zone. Most Clubs running the carnival have enough to do running the competitive rounds.
Currently a number of higher graded players do put their names down as spares on young horses - available to double up with whoever needs a player, this to me is really the only viable solution. And you usually do get a run. Higher grade players should be available to play with other than their own Club in the lower graded games, where spare players are needed. I would also encourage Umpires to intervene if a higher graded player is dominating a low grade dame or behaving in a non supportive way to any player. This could be brought to the notice of the Judiciary if a dispute did arise.
Finally I wish to raise the issue of some individuals simply deciding not to turn up to Umpire, despite the draw being copied and circulated. I would like to propose that if a nominated Umpire fails to turn up for an umpiring job, without a valid reason, the Club to which they belong should be fined by the Zone. (I would like to see a motion moved to that effect at this meeting in discussion of general business).
I recall waiting for some 20 minutes to start the Final at the Braidwood Carnival this year. Players, spectators and importantly the sponsors were all waiting for the Final to commence and the nominated Umpire simply decided not to turn up, and failed to advise the Carnival organizers or to arrange a substitute. This is unacceptable, and not the first time it has happened. Thankfully it is the exception and not the rule, but it needs to be sorted out at the Zone level. A fine imposed on the relevant Club would probably quickly resolve the matter.
Michael Gorman Zone Chief Umpire
SUBBIES UMPIRES
A motion was moved at the General Meeting that when clubs are nominating to hosts clubs they need to identify that they have a "subbies" umpire. A subbies umpire is a parent who has children playing in the sub-juniors and is able to umpire them so that we are able to:
Get them playing
They don't have to stand around waiting for an umpire
Parents aren't missing out on watching their children play
Minimise the risk of an accident
Increase support and coaching to junior players
BUNGENDORE VALENTINES BALL
Congratulations to all involved in the running of the Valentines Ball which was held on 16 February 2008 at the Bungendore Show Grounds. All profits will be going towards improvements for the grounds!
2008 UK TOUR
The following players have been selected to represent Australia in a tour to the UK later this year. We wish them all the best of luck.
Troy Henry (Captain) Robert Sibley Hayden Turnbull Will Weston
AROUND THE CLUBS
Burradoo
The weekend of Saturday the 15th of September saw the Burradoo Polocrosse Club hold its annual Presentation but this year with a bit of a twist, it was combined with a family fun day held at our home grounds at the Bong Bong Racecourse Bowral. Over 50 adults and 30 children attended to what was a fantastic afternoon.
We hired a jumping castle for the kids while the adults sat around and caught up with one another in a picnic style atmosphere. There was also some old fashioned games including, Sack races, three legged races and egg throwing, both kids and adults alike got quite involved in these activities and actually became quite competitive vying off for the prize of a Lolly Pop or 2. All who attended said that they had a great day.
Onto the more formal part of the day the presentation got under way with Club Captain Jenny Bell being MC, congratulating all players & club members for a great season, and then presented the following awards:
Sub junior Encouragement Award donated by Graham Spackman - Dan Cormie
Tracey Casburn Award for the Best Sub Junior Club Member - Adam Rodwell
Arthur Lidgard memorial for best junior player Donated by the O'Donnell Family 1984 - Kyal Martin
AML & F Trophy for best junior club member - Ella Edwards
Warwick Vyner cup for best presented Horse & Rider under 21 years - Fay Edwards
Gilpin Award for achievement to be awarded to a relatively new player in recognition to personal achievement donated by Neville & Carol Gilpin - Claire Kilby
Most Improved player of the Year incepted in 1951 - Lillian Rodwell
The Edwards trophy for best woman's match player donated by Greg Edward in 1975 - Belinda Anderson
Presidents Cup best performance match play, presented by Blake Pelly in 1946 - Kylie Goatham
John F Burn Trophy for most improved polocrosse pony donated in by John Burn in 1968 - Bruce Greenslade's "Grace"
The Venour Nathan Cup, Best Horse incepted in 1947 and continuation cup donated by the Spackman Family in 1972 - James Brooks's "Bronson"
The Spackman family memorial trophy for Best Horse & Rider Combination incepted in 1996 in memory of Gordon & Elsie Spackman - Belinda Anderson & "Surprise Package"
Alice Gilpin Memorial Trophy player with best club spirit on & off the field. Donated by Tony Lacey & Family in 1980 - Bill Heuston
The Rudder Shield for most commendable club members incepted in 1982 - The Brackenreg/Murphy Family
After the formal proceedings everyone enjoyed a great lunch prepared by Neil Barton who cooked a fabulous spit and the ladies of the club prepared salads. A huge thank you to Neil who gave up his day to cook for us, and to ladies who prepared the salads.
Eurocoast
The Eurocoast had an extra player this year in Charlie Zigmund. Charlie had a great season but alas has returned to the UK and will be missed greatly by not only the club but the Zone.
Lake George
Lake George had a great year on and off the filed in 2007.
With some new faces joining our club and some old ones returning Lake George had a great 2007 season. Greg Davidge and Robbie Sibley were selected as reserves for the Australian World Cup team at Warwick.
In April, a number of players travelled up to Warwick and brought home the title at the Australian Club Championships which was run in conjunction with the World Cup.
Jacinta Sibley represented NSW at Sydney Show.
Claire Gee, Brittany Jones and Josh Messina were all selected to travel to WA for the Zone WA exchange, however the EI epidemic caused this trip to be postponed to further notice. Many of our members were selected to play at the NSW Zone Championships at Grafton and all did our club proud.
Robert Sibley has just been picked to represent Australia in the United Kingdom in July 2008.
Off the field we had two new additions to our club, Jed James Davidge and William D'Arcy Hall both will be on the field in no time!
Canberra Royals
The Canberra Royals held their annual presentations at the Queanbeyan Show Grounds on 8 December.
Sub Junior Awards - Thalia Smith, Rhys Smith and Georgia Smith Best Junior - Amie Cahill Best Intermediate - Sam Darmody Best Men's - Francis Hallam Best Women's - Cherylee Sturt Best Presented Horse & Rider - Rachael Amey Most Improved - Rachael Amey Best Fall of the Year - Wes Cosgrove Coaches Award - Rachael Amey Club person of the year (voted by members) - Pat Hallam Best & Fairest (voted by members) - Wes Cosgrove & Cherylee Sturt Best Horse - "Bonnie" owned by Wes Cosgrove
Braidwood
The Braidwood Polocrosse Club had a very successful year on and off the fields during 2007.
Shelley Bolton was invited to New Zealand to play polocrosse during their 2007 season. Shelley played her normal strong, competitive games during her visit in January.
The Braidwood Polocrosse Club had a number of players and horses in the Braidwood Heritage Parade. Braidwood players and horses were in full uniform and looked spectacular. The NSW Governor was in attendance and was most impressed by our players and their well-groomed, well-behaved horses. Our club participating in the parade increased the Braidwood Polocrosse Club profile.
The main event for Braidwood Polocrosse Club was Australia's victory in the World Cup tournament in Warwick on 29th April. Aaron Clarke was announced as the Best Male Player in the world during the presentations. Aaron was recognised for his ability to score goals from any part of the attacking field, his natural horsemanship, polocrosse skills and knowledge. Aaron is a wonderful ambassador for the sport of polocrosse and the Braidwood Polocrosse Club.
Aaron Clarke was the guest of honour at the Braidwood Servicemen's Club in May to celebrate his success during the World Cup. Over eighty special guests, sponsors, members and players attended the celebrations. Palerang Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended. Mrs Kaye Daniel and Olympic gold medallist in Equestrian, Mr Neale Lavis, both Braidwood Polocrosse Club's patrons, were some of the special guests to help celebrate Aaron's sporting achievement.
Wendy Barlow was selected to play in the NSW Veterans teams. Junior Ryan Webb also selected in the zone team travelling to WA. EI stopped both players from attending. Kate Thompson, Shelley Bolton, Wendy Barlow, Kaaren Hassell, Patrick Clarke, Thomas Clarke, Luke Clarke and Aaron Clarke were all selected in the NSW squad for the Nationals in 2008.
Braidwood players have travelled long distances during 2007 season; players representing our club in New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria and NSW.
The Braidwood Presentation/Christmas party was a night for our members to get together and discuss the 2007 season. The effect of the EI was the main topis of discussion, with all players wondering what the 2008 season will bring. The Braidwood Polocrosse Club had a visit from Santa who was kind enough to give our sub juniors and juniors a gift. The main prize for Most Improved players was given to one of our juniors, Ryan Webb. Ryan has had a very solid year during 2007. He has played all available games and giving each game his best effort.
The Braidwood Polocrosse Club is using 2008 as the year to foster our Junior and Sub Junior players. Our junior and sub junior development programme will be in full force with all senior players and coaches assisting our next generation of Braidwood Polocrosse players.
Yass
The Yass Club had a great year on and off the field. As many of you would have noticed we were able to field a JUNIORS side. Rest assured it's not a one off and this season we are aiming for a full team!
As well as our juniors we also had some old members return and some new ones come along too. Some of our players were selected to represent the Zone and State during the year - congratulations to them all!
Our presentations weren't for the faint hearted as we spent a warm day on the Gunning Golf Course with sheep (dead and alive), long grass and the odd missed ball providing entertainment to last a while. Add a few happy snaps and some of us may never live it down.
Rest assured we all enjoyed ourselves and I believe our president summed it up well when he said we had a great year.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jamie Fuller & Kylie Gotham are proud to announce the birth of their second baby girl Maggie Cait Fuller who was born on 24 January2008. A beautiful sister for Zoe.
Luke Cody & Renee Keir welcomed baby boy Troy Shane Cody into the world on 11 November 2007.
Paul Sharman & Fiona Young are proud to announce the arrival of Monique Sharman born 26 October 2007.
Congratulations to Ben MacKenzie & Cathi Reid who were married on 24 November 2007 at "Longvale" home grounds of the EuroCoast Polocrosse Club.
Congratulations to Luke Greenslade & Lillian Rodwell who celebrated their engagement with a party in early November, they are planning their wedding in late 2008.
Belinda Anderson & Daniel Tarlinton tied the knot on 17 November 2007. It was a beautiful day Belinda looked stunning as did Daniel as well as the rest of the Bridal party and all the other guests. It was nice to see them out of their polocrosse uniform and into some formal gear.
Deepest sympathies to Pete & Rachel Frear, their daughter Georgia passed away on Sunday 2 December; our thoughts are with all of their families.
EDITORS PIECE
Unfortunately we cursed the drought and as much as we would have liked to in the end we could have cursed the rain. Mother Nature (or El nino / El nina) ensured that we were unable to play too much of the sport we all love. Just when the chips were down good old EI kicked in. Well here is to a prosperous year ahead - we've had the rain, there's so much green grass at Bungendore they've brought out the mowers and at this point in time the horses don't need their tissues - just a THS.
Don't let the weather or a little cold deter you from the season ahead and I'll see you on the green fields at the Lake George Carnival in April.
I have attached a copy of the latest release of the NSW carnival dates for 2008.
If you have any announcements or classifieds to place in the next newsletter please contact myself on the numbers or email below. All ads placed by zone members are charged at $10 per issue. The newsletter is circulated to all the NSW zone secretaries and an electronic copy is also posted on the NSW part of the following polocrosse website www.polocrosse.net.
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