Polocrosse was played in N.Z. in the late 40′s and early 50′s after being brought to N.Z. by a Mr Swarbrick who saw it played at the Sydney Show about 1948. It was played in Pony Clubs and at various places all around N.Z. for a few years, but tended to languish.
In 1967 a games day was conducted at Kaitieke and when the games had finished, the Gifford brothers who had played the game in South Africa along with Ken Malcolm who had played it in Pony Club in the original days put on a demonstration using original rackets. From then a Polocrosse and Gymkhana Club was formed, and this Club is still very active.
After demonstrating this around the Area after about three years we convinced other areas to form clubs from there it expanded around the North Island of N.Z. reaching close to 900 members during its peak. A lot of effort was also made to expand into the South-Island and for a short term there was about six clubs, but they gradually faded, and at this stage we have no record of activities, but we do hear on the grapevine at times that there is the odd bit of activity.
After running the organization as a Council for a number of years comprising some 24 members plus a President and Secretary, all elected annually, we have changed to a board comprising of a President and four elected members for a three year term, along with at this stage an appointed member from outside the organization. This person is a successful sporting personality.
The members of the Board for the three year term are:
President: Robin Cave
Secretary: Julinda Marshall
Board Members:
Tony Schrafft
Alistair Cumming
Harry Semenoff
Ken Malcolm
Appointed Member:
Glenda Hughes
The Email of the Secretary is sarjil@xtra.co.nz
Tel 063425555
Fax 063425556
Regards Ken Malcolm