Zimbabwe Update 1999

 Well we are getting under way to the start of our new season! The PAZ AGM was held on the 29 October with several changes being made to the office bearers. I would like to welcome in our new president and secretary Ant and Mandy Keith, our new vice president Alan Jack, treasurer Barbara Panter and Veterans representative Rob Panter (Rob is not the veterans president merely a representative on the executive).
 
This past season was very successful for most of the players. There were 3 International tours held, 2 of which were external.
 
The national squad comprising of a mixed team (Henry Harris, Rob Hitchcock, Kane Matthews, Gavin Cocker, Squacky Whaley, Greg Sergeant, Sally Carey, Suzanne Sergeant, Paula Campbell, Evie Stanley, and Lehanna Pio) toured to Australia. They won their first test match be 5 goals but unfortunately lost their second one by 8 goals so Australia had won that series!! Although beaten in their first series they went on to Western Australia where they played the President's select team. They came back with vengeance and won both test matches convincingly. Suzanne Sergeant and Rob Hitchcock both came home with best horse and rider combination.
 
The Veterans also went out of the country to strut their stuff. They went down to the beach in Richards Bay! Their squad (Mike Cossey, Graham Rae, Richard Games, Arthur Baisley, Malcolm Sergeant, Norman Gardiner, Tim Swanson, Keith Campbell, Alan Malloy, Ed Gundry, Francois Joubert, Rob Panter, Tony Krynauw, Doug Fingland, Jenny Mannix, Julie Cossey, Julie Games, Lynette Jovner, Allie Fingland, Meg Stanley, Shirley Norval and Minky Slater-Brown) was outstanding to say the least even though the South Africans beat them. Our teams did their best and didn't put themselves or their country to shame. They showed excellent sportsmanship both on and off the field!! They also had the constant support of Arlene Crook, who was due to play but had a rather unfortunate accident so cheered them on from the side line instead!
 
The only internal tour that took place this year was the junior tour at Hippo Valley. This tour was extremely enjoyable for both players and spectators as the venue is wonderful. No one would have thought it was the middle of winter! The U14 team (Jason Biggs, Bradley Clark, Alison Mannix, Terrance Keith, Katie Baker, Krystal Shaw, Audra Dixon and Heath Games) showed what polocrosse is all about. They played with determination and aggression that few adults possess. They won all three of their test matches with the added bonus of Bradley winning best player of the series and Krystal winning the best Zimbabwean U 14 of the year. Next the U16 team (Graham Keith, Gareth Barry, TJ Joubert, Garth Pereira, Warren Games, Jackie Fingland, Tracy Douglas and Ashlyn Rowley). The team played exceptionally well with South Africa only fractionally beating them!!
 
On the local front all the tournaments that went on around the country were well organized and a lot of fun! Ruzawi proving that they have the strongest A team in the country!! The venues were superb and most of the time ran very smoothly with only the occasional hiccup.
 
Next season we are looking forward to hosting the millennium tournament. We are hosting a number of countries to play in a two weekend round robin competition.
 
Well that is about all from the Zimbabwean scene. Happy polocrossing to all of you!