PRESS RELEASE - THE IRISH POLOCROSSE ASSOCIATION - MARCH 2005

The Irish Polocrosse Association (I.P.A.) 2005 season kicked off with its 'Start of the Season - Annual Ball' held in the Talbot Hotel, Wexford on Saturday 26th February, hosted by the Wexford Polo Crosse Club.

Polocrosse Players come from all walks of life, however they all have one thing in common, they do like to 'party' and this years ball was one event where they did just that. This superb season starter centred around, dancing, parting and much merriment, combined with tales of the 'one that got away' and the 'tournament we almost won' along with the Irish Polocrosse Associations annual awards ceremony which recognised and honoured both 'Best and Fairest Players' in all divisions from Junior grade right up to A Division who have made contributions to the sport during the previous season.

Fair Play awards: A Grade, David Young, Horetown Polocrosse Club, B Grade, Sarah O Gorman, Tipperary Polocrosse Club, C Grade, Eoin O'Leary, Limerick Polocrosse Club, D Grade, Kate Murphy, Tipperary Polocrosse Club, Junior Grade, Seb Chambers, Carrickmines Polocrosse Club. Other people recognised were Paul Boland, (team manager) and Jason Scott (team coach) of the Ireland International squad who played against the world champions Australia who toured Ireland last summer. Neil Breheny from Waterford was also made a presentation for Umpiring the Ireland v Australia International tournaments last year. A host of other awards were made including Richie Collins from Limerick taking the David & Ivor Young Award for most contribution to the development of the sport. Willie Loughman from the Birr Club took home the €1,000 IPA Draw Fundraising 1st Prize and he was the most popular player at his table for the remainder of the evening.

The board of the IPA have recently appointed a number of sub-committees to spearhead and upgrade important issues relating to its organisation for the coming season. These include, Public Relations, New Club Development, Fund-raising, Tournament Management, Home and Away International Visits, Coaching and Umpiring. The organisation is also working on a 2-year plan towards the selection and management of sending a team to the 2nd World Polocrosse Series in Australia in 2007.

Although the season formally runs from April-September, many clubs have developed all weather facilities and spend the off-season months 'bringing on' young horses and new players. The IPA's 2005 calendar is filled with an action packed program which includes national tournaments at the many clubs throughout the country, in addition the Dublin based Carrickmines Club plans to send an Under-19's Club team to the U.S. later in the year and preparations are also under way for the selection of both Junior and Senior sides to play in the Tri-Nations (Ireland/England/Wales) Tournament in July. The Irish Juniors won this tournament in 2004 and all eyes will be on them again to repeat winning the coveted Tri-Nations Title.

Almost 500 players are expected to play polocrosse at either club or IPA tournament level for this year. The association boasts 8 clubs around the country in, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Tipperary, Limerick, Offaly and Waterford and growth amongst clubs is growing from strength to strength. 2005 looks like it's going to be a very promising year for this unique and fun equestrian sport, which has been compared to 'hurling on horseback'. SO RACQUETS UP & TIME ON.