Ashfields polocrosse

Emily Noszkay

9 May, 2012

Subscribe to H&H today and save up to £50 across the year!
Riders can now try their hand at polocrosse after a permanent club has been set up at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Rugby.

The Rugby Polocrosse Club is run from the same venue as the Rugby Polo Club and was established by the owner of Onley Grounds, Philip Baker.

Philip Baker, chairman of the Polocrosse Club, said: “I think polocrosse has a very strong future in the UK in general and so we have committed quite a lot of expenditure to infrastructure for the sport here at Onley.

“We started running fun polocrosse chukkas for a group of parents over 12 months ago. They were sat on the side lines watching their children play and wanted to have a go themselves.”

Experienced horses and coaches are available to help those who are new to the sport, which is described as “lacrosse on horseback”.

Club secretary Simon Paynter added: “The ability to hire horses has certainly helped and many of our new members will be looking forward to playing at their first ever tournament.”

The club got involved with polocrosse after hosting the polocrosse world cup in July 2011 and the UKPA national championships in September 2011.

Iain Heaton of UKPA said: “We are delighted to have another new polocrosse club established in the UK and this one is particularly exciting.”

He added that this was something the organisation had been trying to develop over the last few years and hoped to see more centres of this nature going forward.

For more information visit www.polocrosse.org.uk.

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgNew polocrosse club set up in Warwickshire

Equestrian injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years of major traumatic injuries.

Background: Horseback riding is more dangerous than motorcycle riding, skiing, football, and rugby. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and injury patterns, as well as risk factors associated with severe equestrian trauma.

Methods: All patients with major equestrian injuries (injury severity score
12) admitted between 1995 and 2005 were reviewed. A 46-question survey outlining potential rider, animal, and environmental risk factors was administered.

Results: Among 7941 trauma patients, 151 (2%) were injured on horseback (mean injury severity score, 20; mortality rate, 7%). Injuries included the chest (54%), head (48%), abdomen (22%), and extremities (17%). Forty-five percent required surgery. Survey results (55%) indicated that riders and horses were well trained, with a 47% recidivism rate. Only 9% of patients wore helmets, however, 64% believed the accident was preventable.

Conclusions: Chest trauma previously has been under appreciated. This injury pattern may be a result of significant rider experience. Helmet and vest use will be targeted in future injury prevention strategies.

© 2007 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.Equestrian injuries:read the full report

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgEquestrian injuries: The American Journal of Surgery

Chairman of the Polocrosse Nationals committee, and president of the Warwick Polocrosse, the host club, Les Fraser, was recognised during the tournament for his outstanding service to the sport with induction into the Polocrosse Hall of Fame.

“It certainly was very humbling to be inducted into the ranks of this calibre, and I was very surprised,” he said.

With a 50 year active involvement in the sport, Mr Fraser is fondly referred to as “Mr Polocrosse’.

Mr Fraser was instrumental in launching of the inaugural World Cup held at Morgan Park in Warwick in 2003, and again in 2007.

“It really was a culmination of 10 years of dreaming to see the 2003 World Cup a reality,” he said.

“But my ultimate goal was to attract a new audience to the sport of Polocrosse about which I am so passionate about.”

Another passion of Mr Fraser’s is the Morgan Park complex, which has been operated by the Warwick Club for the past 40 years.

And for the thousands of spectators, and hundreds of players who called Morgan Park home last week, there was no doubt it is the best polocrosse complex in the world.

Australian Polocrosse National played out with NSW coming out on top in 8 of the 12 divisions.

Morgan Park became a satellite city and home to more than 500 players and 700 horses representing 52 teams from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The week-long event attracted 2000 campers and 10,000 spectators.

Teams from NSW won eight of the 12 final divisions, while Queensland and Western Australia also featured in major honours.

In the final division the NSW team claimed wins in the Masters Mixed, U 16 Junior Mixed, Challenge Cup, Women’s U24, Mens U 21, Senior Womens, Senior Mens and Master’s Mens.

Queensland teams won the Mixed U 21, Junior U16, and U 12 Exhibition, while the WA team, which travelled 4000km to compete, claimed the Senior Mixed trophy.

In the Senior Men’s final, NSW scored 26 goals to 23 against Western Australia, while the Senior Women’s final saw NSW again overcome WA by 20 goals to 15.

In the senior men’s division the award for best number one player was awarded to Bernie Smith of NSW, best number two to Isla Young of Western Australia, and best number three to Hayden Turnbull of NSW.

Hayden Turnbull also won the award for champion horse award, while Gerard Maley of the Northern Territory claimed the Australian Stock Horse Award.

In the senior women’s competition the best number one player was Jane Cooper of Western Australia, while the NSW teammates Alison Mathie and Skye Anderson were recognised as best number two and best number three respectively.

Alison Mathie went on to claim the champion horse of the division, while the best Australian Stock Horse award was presented to Sandra Weston, of NSW.

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgLes Fraser inducted into the Polocrosse Hall of Fame

Masters Men 50+ Competition

Winners NSW (Masters 50+) 21

Runners-up WA (Masters 50+) 20

Best No 1 Glenn Frazer (NSW)

Best No 2 Darren Martin (WA)

Best No 3 Graham Wilson (NSW)

Champion Horse Glenn Frazer (NSW)

Champion ASH Lyle Scott “Springbrook Sunami”

Masters Mixed Competition

Winners NSW (Masters Mxd) 23

Runners-up QLD (Masters Mxd) 18

Best No 1 Grant Olsson (Qld)

Best No 2 John Halstead (NSW)

Best No 3 Nicole Waddington (WA)

Champion Horse Gail Donnelly (Qld)

Champion ASH Grant Olsson “Lauries Flight”

Under 16 Junior Open Competition

Winners QLD (U16 Open) 27

Runners-up NSW (U16 Open) 15

Best No 1 Jacob Lawrence (Qld)

Best No 2 Zac O’Leary (Qld)

Best No 3 Byron Davison (Qld)

Champion Horse Hayden Grumley (NSW)

Champion ASH Rob Taylor “Bahreenah Josette”

Under 16 Junior Mixed Competition

Winners NSW (U16 Mixed) 18

Runners-up QLD (U16 Mixed) 13

Best No 1 Brooke Field (NSW)

Best No 2 Anthony O’Leary (Qld)

Best No 3 Rachel Stringfellow (NT)

Champion Horse Joshua Barnett (NSW)

Champion ASH Shaye Serna-Pastor “Throwers Stud Swish”

Under 21 Men Competition

Winners NSW (U21 Men) 32

Runners-up QLD (U21 Men) 18

Best No 1 Jim Grills (NSW)

Best No 2 Jack Halstead (NSW)

Best No 3 Wayne Stevenson (NSW)

Champion Horse Jim Grills (NSW)

Champion ASH Jim Grills “Berragoon Lipstick”

Under 24 Women Competition

Winners NSW (U24 Women) 19

Runners-up QLD (U24 Women) 18

Best No 1 Ryle Waugh (Qld)

Best No 2 Breanna Field (NSW)

Best No 3 Lucy Grills (NSW)

Champion Horse Ryle Waugh (Qld)

Champion ASH Sydnee Doolan “Gilgurry Shimmer”

Under 21 Mixed Competition

Winners QLD (U21 Mxd) 17

Runners-up NSW (U21 Mxd) 14

Best No 1 Murray Scott (NSW)

Best No 2 Aaron Sillitoe (Qld)

Best No 3 Luke Sutton (Qld)

Champion Horse Luke Sutton (Qld)

Champion ASH Christie Edwards “Pees Posh”

Senior Mixed Competition

Winners WA (Senior Mxd) 23

Runners-up QLD (Senior Mxd) 17

Best No 1 Jeremy Thurkle (WA)

Best No 2 Katie Grimmond (Qld)

Best No 3 Wayne Woods (WA)

Champion Horse Jeremy Thurkle (WA)

Champion ASH Liz Lister “Kildare Quill”

Senior Women Competition

Winners NSW (Snr Women) 20

Runners-up WA (Snr Women) 15

Best No 1 Jane Cooper (WA)

Best No 2 Alison Mathie (NSW)

Best No 3 Skye Anderson (NSW)

Champion Horse Alison Mathie (NSW)

Champion ASH Sandra Weston “Woodare Layla”

Challenge Cup Competition

Winners NSW (Challenge Cup) 30

Runners-up SA (Challenge Cup) 16

Best No 1 Sam Darmody (NSW)

Best No 2 Jason Smith (NSW)

Best No 3 Ben Manwaring (NSW)

Champion Horse Sam Darmody (NSW)

Champion ASH Brad Wamsley “Murrullas Tasha”

Senior Men Competition

Winners NSW (Senior Men) 26

Runners-up WA (Senior Men) 23

Best No 1 Bernie Smith (NSW)

Best No 2 Isla Young (WA)

Best No 3 Hayden Turnball (NSW)

Champion Horse Hayden Turnball (NSW)

Champion ASH Gerard Martin “Edenhope Scope

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgPolocrosse Nationals 2012 – Warwick QLD

READY, SET, RIDE: Tia Hall and her horse Houdini travelled five days from WA to get ready for the Polocrosse Nationals. Georja Ryan

ELITE riders, superbly fit horses, serious attitudes and fierce competition: four components of what is to come over the next few days as polocrosse players, their crews and trusty steeds begin arriving in the Southern Downs for the Barastoc Polocrosse Nationals.

Morgan Park gates officially open at midday on Monday, but some teams have already set up camp at Cunningham to wait out the weekend.

Believe it or not, this huge event is not just about the game itself – it’s also about Warwick.

Chamber of Commerce president David Littleproud said an event of this scale did wonders for the economy and local businesses.

“It brings a lot of money to town and those in the polocrosse society really support local businesses,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Having these events helps showcase Warwick as a destination and people walk away impressed with the streetscape and the quality of retail we have here,” he said.

Warwick Tourism and Events chief executive Tracy Vellacott said the polocrosse tournament showed the teamwork of local businesses and organisations and was a good way for all to get involved.

“We are definitely cheering and urge locals to embrace the opportunity to witness an amazing and fast-paced sport on their doorstep,” she said.

The Daily News will have daily coverage of the tournament, so keep yourself up to date with all the inside goss!

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgWarwick extends a hearty welcome

PAUL McGrath believes the Barastoc Nationals on April 23-29 will be the first step for players aiming to make Australian teams for the 2015 World Cup in South Africa.

After winning the first two cups in 2003 and 2007, Australia was third in the United Kingdom last year.

“Anyone aiming for the next cup should be putting their name forward at these nationals,” McGrath, the Queensland open men’s captain, said.

Queensland’s past two wins were in Warwick (1998) and Naracoorte, SA (2000).

McGrath has been in Queensland teams for more than two decades and can’t recall a team with so many players younger than 25.

Warwick pair Colton Preston, 21, and Russell Owens are under 25, along with Tansey players Matthew Johnson and Trent Collins.

McGrath and Cameron Shepherd (Warwick) and Justin Hafey (Tansey) are the experienced trio.

Coach Matt Gleeson (Warwick) won’t finalise his starting sections until next week.

McGrath said he felt the coach was leaning towards using players from the two clubs, Warwick and Tansey, in different sections.

“We have a tough first game against Victoria,” McGrath said.

“New South Wales is always the toughest and there will not be a lot between Victoria and Western Australia.”

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgTime to shine

Marquenterre Equestrian Festival

Open to the public

July 27th to 29th 2012

International Polocrosse Meet

Henson Horse breed presentation

Local products market Equestrian equipment boot sale & Parade

Haras Henson – Ferme de Saint-Jean-les-Rue (80120) France

www.francepolocrosse.com & www.henson.fr

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgMarquenterre Equestrian Festival

Posted by Linda Mantova on 23 March 2012 News

Polocrosse is very much a family affair where Paul and Sally McGrath are concerned.

The two experienced players will don their maroon uniforms once again for Queensland at the 2012 Barastoc Polocrosse Nationals being held in Warwick next month.

However, there won’t be the long road trip or weeks away from home they are used to when they have been selected to play for their state in previous years.

This time around, the family will only have a half hour trip down the road to Warwick to play at the Nationals being held from April 23 to 29.

Both members of the Warwick Polocrosse Club, Paul and Sally McGrath, have notched up 20 Polocrosse Nationals between them, and both have again been selected to play for Queensland at the upcoming championships being held at Warwick’s Morgan Park complex.

With their two daughters, Keely and Jordan, who are also keen polocrosse players, both competing as juniors for the Warwick Club, the family will be spending plenty of time concentrating on polocrosse over the next six weeks.

Already, both Sally and Paul, who live and work on the 210 hectare “Darlington Stud”, at Greenmount, on the Darling Downs, have had their polocrosse horses in work for close to 12 weeks, getting them “in” a week before Christmas.

They are both seasoned campaigners when it comes to the physical horse sport. Both have represented Australia in polocrosse, with Paul playing in 1994 in a Men’s test series, and Sally touring New Zealand in 2002 in an Australian Women’s side, as well as playing at the World Cup in 2003.

Paul started playing for the Gold Coast Club at the age of 13, and has since been a member of both the Toowoomba and Cunningham clubs until he joined Warwick in 1987.

His first Nationals selection was as a reserve for the Queensland junior side in 1980 when the championships were held in Capel, Western Australia.

“I never got to play at those Nationals when I was 15, and they had no intermediate (Under 21) competition back then, so I went straight into the Open mens competition out of juniors,” Paul said.

He had to wait another ten years for selection, but he recalls the first Nationals he played at in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1990.

“I was in the Open mens team and we got a flogging. We had a young section and a more experienced section, but never made the finals,” Paul said.

“In 1992, I was in the Queensland mixed team and we were beaten by New South Wales by one goal in the finals at Forbes,” he said.

“At the Nationals in Walkaway, Western Australia, in 1994, we didn’t do any good either. However, my fondest memories are of our bus trip across the Nullarbor.

“There were 11 of us on a 15 seater mini bus. Everything was fine on the way across, but on the way back everyone was tired and cranky – never again,” he laughed.

At the 1996 Nationals at Werribee, Victoria, Paul recalls the muddy and cold conditions, which were made worse when they were defeated by NSW again, in the Open Men’s final.

However, in 1998, at his home Nationals in Warwick, the Queensland men redeemed themselves winning the Open Mens title in front of a home crowd.

Paul was also selected for the Nationals in Naracoorte, South Australia, in 2000, but had to withdraw a week before due to his horse injuring its tendon.

Then in 2002, Paul was selected to play at Darwin in the Northern Territory, but unfortunately again had to withdraw.

He then went onto play in every other Nationals up until 2008, and in 2010 at the Ballarat Nationals he coached the Open Men’s side.

However, he is back this year, well horsed on an eight year old mare, Kildare Belle, owned by Charlie Brook, and is rearing to go as captain of the Queensland Open Mens side.

“This is the best chance (of winning) we’ve had in a while. I’m really looking forward to playing. It will be a great Nationals,” Paul said.

“I have some fantastic memories from my years in polocrosse. The highlight has been the people we’ve met and it has taken us all around Australia.”

Sally agrees wholeheartedly, and after meeting Paul and marrying in 1996, they have experienced much success on the polocrosse fields around the country.

However, Sally’s polocrosse career began long before she met Paul. At the age of eight, she had her first game of polocrosse for the Richmond Polocrosse Club in north western Queensland.

From there, she played for the Flinders Club at Hughenden until she was 17 years old.

“I came down to Warwick in 1986, and was first selected to play at a Nationals in 1988 at Darwin,” Sally said.

Paul & Sally McGrath

“I was 19 years old and in the Open Women’s team. Back then they were only six member teams and only two day carnivals. Nowadays it’s a lot more intense.”

Sally has been selected for Queensland at every Nationals since, except Perth in 2008 when she suffered a facial injury just a month before the team was to depart.

But anyone who plays the game or has watched it, would agree that it is not for the faint hearted.

Sally is also looking forward to the Warwick Nationals, and believes her Open Mixed team are “a good chance” to take out this year’s title.

“I’m really happy to have been selected on my six year old gelding, Haydon Apollo, who only had his first season of polocrosse last year,” she said.

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgPolocrosse is a Family Affair

Posted by Linda Mantova on 2 April 2012 News

The Marriott family from Western Australia won’t know which field to watch at the 2012 Barastoc Polocrosse Nationals being held in Warwick, Queensland, from April 23 to 29, as they have three generations of their family involved in state teams.

Members of the well-known polocrosse family will again play an integral role in Western Australia teams, as they have done for many Nationals in the past.

Their connections with representative polocrosse run deep, with the family patriarch, John Marriott, playing for Western Australia at seven Polocrosse Nationals, during his long career in the sport.

This year at Warwick he is coaching the West Australian Masters Men’s team, and he has coached at the four previous Nationals, including Albury in New South Wales, when he was a playing coach.

John is a current member of the Moonyoonooka Polocrosse Club, and started playing when he was 12 years old for the Mobrup Polocrosse Club.

The pinnacle of his career was captaining Australia in 1991, in the test series against New Zealand, however he has also captained the W.A. men’s team at a Nationals. John said his most memorable experience was winning the Men’s competition in Darwin in 2002.

John’s father played polocrosse, as well as his sister Mandy, who is in the 2012 WA Ladies team for Warwick. His other sister, Bloss, still also plays and both her sons, Ben and BJ Thomas, are in the WA Men’s team for Warwick, as well as Ben’s wife, Suzette, who is in the W.A. Ladies team for the Nationals.

John’s wife, Pearl Marriott, also a current member of Moonyoonooka Polocrosse Club, started playing when she was 13 for the Kojonup Polocrosse Club. At 63, she is still playing competitive B Grade polocrosse, after having represented her state at five Nationals, including being selected as W.A. Ladies captain.

Pearl has managed two Nationals team, and coached at four Nationals.

At Warwick this month, Pearl is coaching the WA Under 24 Ladies team.

Her involvement in the sport of polocrosse was inherited, as both her parents,

Stan and Lorna Haggerty, started playing polocrosse from its very beginning in Western Australia.

They played for many years and bred a lot of outstanding stock horses, from which all the Marriott family’s current horses originate. Stan played for W.A. and was captain/coach at the 1972 Nationals at Cowra. Pearl’s brother, Ivan, also played for his state at the 1968, ’70, and ’80 Nationals.

The next generation of Marriott’s, John and Pearl’s son, Jeremy, is a current Member of Moorooduc Polocrosse Club in Victoria, and he has donned the W.A. colours at two Nationals and also the Victorian colours for two Nationals, plus has coached at two National carnivals.

Jeremy started playing when he was just eight for Moonyoonooka Polocrosse Club, and now his son, Lachlan, is playing for Victoria in this year’s Under 12 Exhibition competition at Warwick.

It will be a busy time for Jeremy’s family, no doubt, as his wife, Peta, is also playing at Warwick in the Victorian Masters Mixed competition.

John and Pearl’s daughter, Jane Cooper, started playing at age six, and has had a very successful representative polocrosse career, playing at eight Nationals. She was named W.A. Ladies captain at the last five titles, four of which the West Australian’s won.

This year Jane is the W.A. Ladies playing Coach for Warwick, however her success has not been confined to her state.

Jane has played four International tests, including two World Cups in Australia, and coached the United States at the 2011 World Cup in the United Kingdom. Her husband Trent Cooper is playing in the W.A. Men’s team at Warwick, and has also represented Australia at the 2003 World Cup, and the tour to Ireland in 2004.

Jane’s sister, Sarah Marriott, is a current member of the Walkaway Polocrosse Club, and like Jane, started playing at the ripe old age of six years. She has since played at five Nationals, and is heading to Warwick in the W.A. Open Mixed team. Sarah’s partner, Aiden Thurkle is playing in the W.A. Men’s team at Warwick.

John and Pearl Marriott are decidedly proud of their family’s achievements in the sport, and are looking forward to yet another successful campaign when they arrive in Warwick in a couple of weeks’ time for what each polocrosse player and spectator looks forward to every two years.

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgThree generations of Marriott family feature at 2012 Nationals

In April 2012 it will give me great pleasure to welcome you to Warwick, Queensland for the Barastoc Australian Polocrosse Nationals.

The event will feature Australia’s elite Polocrosse players competing from 23 – 29 April, 2012.

After successfully staging the two Polocrosse World Cups in 2003 and 2007, the Warwick Club again takes up the challenge to stage Australia’s most prestigious Polocrosse event. Warwick as host club and Queensland as host state will work in conjunction to put together the best Nationals ever witnessed.

All the action will take place at Morgan Park – Australia’s finest Polocrosse facility on the edge of the historic town of Warwick.

See you in Warwick!                                                                                  

Les Fraser                                                                                   
President
Warwick Polocrosse Club

General Information

Admission

Tickets are available for purchase from the Main Gate at Morgan Park.  No ATM is available at this Main Gate.

General Admission

• Weekly Pass – $60.00
• Day Pass (Mon-Fri) – $15.00
• Day Pass (Sat-Sun) – $ 20.00
• Children u/16 FREE

Team Admission

This includes players plus one manager and one coach per team.

• $40.00 each - this applies to all players in all competitions.

Accommodation

Warwick has a great range of accommodation from well equipped motels and self-contained accommodation to country resorts, B&Bs, hotels and caravan parks. No matter what you are after Warwick has a style of accommodation to suit you and your budget. For more information on accommodation click here

Map of “Morgan Park” Grounds

Click here to view map of grounds.

Camping

All camping bookings are handled by the Warwick Polocrosse Club.  Morgan Park offers a number of camping sites (powered and un-powered). Download the camp booking form

Services

• Clubhouse Cafe open from Thursday 19 April – serving breakfast, lunch & dinner.
• Courtesy Bus to and from Warwick town centre every 2 hours.
• Daily on-site laundry pickup and delivery.
• Daily ice delivery.
• An ATM will be available in the Clubhouse.
• An Official Photographer will be in attendance during the competition with photos available for purchase.  Angus Waddell Photography www.anguswaddellphotography.com.au

Horses

• Horse accommodation will now be handled by the State Associations.
• Each State will be allocated a number of stalls and yards per team.
• Each state will be allocated an area.
• As to how each State allocates their horse accommodation is their choice and responsibility.
• One bulk payment for horse accommodation by the States to the Warwick Polocrosse Club.
• A total of 362 covered stalls and 140 yards will be available for allocation.
• OFFICIAL VETERINARY SURGEON on call from 16 to 23 April; on site from 23 to 29 April. Click here to visit the Warwick Vet Clinic website.
• Costs
  - Covered stall – $50 each for duration;
  - Uncovered yard – $40 each for duration.
• No electric fences are permitted.
• Due to lack of space, No yard panels will be allowed to be erected until all the on-site stalls are booked and pre-paid.
• NO YARD PANELS TO BE ERECTED IN THE POWERED SITE AREA.

Bio-Security Requirements – ALL horses entering Morgan Park must be accompanied by a Bio-Security Horse Health Declaration.  EVERY  horse must be detailed on the form.  You may need to print off more than one form if bringing a number of horses.  This is IMPORTANT.  Download the Bio-Security Form.

Horse Feed & Supplement Supplies

Olsen Bros Produce ( a member of the Landmark group) will be on the grounds for daily deliveries of all horse feed and supplement supplies.  For information, prices and bookings please contact Olsen Bros Produce directly – ask for Marie Hoffman : 13 Lyons Street, Warwick; phone :07 4661 2455; fax: 07 4661 9455.; email: olsensproduce@westnet.com.au

Trade Sites

Download the Trade Sites Application Form

Advertising in the Official Souvenir Program

Download the Advertising Rates

Merchandise

In addition to a glossy Official Souvenir Program and photographs for sale, a range of branded merchandise will be available for sale on site.

Further information

Please contact us for further information

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgBarastoc Nationals 2012