July 2009 Volume 2, Issue 7
IPT 2009 Noodsberg
Open A Benson & Hedges Trophy Championship Northerns A
Blue Chip Floating Trophy Handicap Mpumalanga A
Ladies A: J Higgs Trophy Championship Midlands
Hanover Lane Trophy Runners up Southerns 
Veterans A: Neels Du Preez Trophy Championship Midlands A
Kobus Lessing Trophy Runners up Southerns
Veterans B: Osprey Loss Control Championship EP
No Trophy Runners up Mpumalanga
U/19 Mixed A J Higgs Trophy Championship WP
Equine Carriers Trophy Runners up Northerns A
U/19 Mixed B No Trophy Championship WP
No Trophy Runners up EP
U/16 A Louis Swart Championship Southerns
Wessel Strauss Trophy Runners up Midlands
U/14 A: Tom Paul Trophy Championship Midlands A
No Trophy Runners up Southerns
U/14 B Winners EP
Runners up Southerns
Spec-Savers Trophy Most Deserved Umpire Wes Flowers
Berryl MacDonnell Memorial Trophy Most Deserving Lady Player Nikki Crook
Ginny Herbert Trophy Lady Player Karen Cocker
SET Golden Pony Simba/Goondy Travis Timm
Rothmans Floating Trophy Player of the tournament Travis Timm
Bomber Best Junior horse and rider Travis Timm
Bomber Most outstanding U14 Natalie Maclarty
Hulley Trophy (Presidents Cup – Overall Winners with most points IPT) Northerns
Junior Squad Camp
Our Weekend camp (Submitted by James Rae)
The U/16 team touring to Zambia attended a camp from the 12th to the 15th of June.
This included the Monday which I happened not to get as a public holiday, a complimentary day off school playing polocrosse! What could be better?! Well that’s what I thought until I met my teammates.
Now these okes are awesome! I already knew the guys (Josh, Ryan and Garret), but had only met Janine in the girls’ team, which included Karia, Jaydee (hope I got the spelling) and Ashleigh. No typhoon could generate as much energy as these four girls could in one room; they were off the Richter scale. At first I had no idea how they maintained such highs but soon found the source, Vita thions, eaten like sherbet…
The weekend started with a psychological talk on Friday night which left us all rather sober and insightful. General chatter filled the chilly air as we braaied. After we had eaten the teams quickly dispersed towards their hosts cozy homes and hot chocolate became the order of the night.
After warming up our U/16 team started the weekend with some team building that for some reason or another never stopped – thanks Karia! The evening grew heated as some serious competition was shown by Ryan who, despite his valiant efforts, could not beat Karia and Ashleigh at foozball. After some intense gaming and many changes in partners he finally gave in to the might of the girls. Josh and I decided that a change of tactics were in order and we proceeded to take off our shirts. However our efforts were in vain and we were positively thrashed and as a result I gained the nickname sass quash.
Saturday morning arrived… and we decided to go to bed (refer to Ashleigh for the Saturdays activities).
Saturday night was another team builder with the team mingling around the fire and just chatting. As a consequence of my rugby game earlier in the day, exhaustion took over and I turned in. The rest of the team decided to play charades and 30 seconds which again turned into a major team builder and many stories came out of it. The night ended abruptly with the Garret’s new profession of bomb-making and Lala’s commanding voice.
Sunday morning was when the real work started. The U/16 team practiced baaie hard and learnt to play under extremely harsh circumstances (exhaustion-team tactic). The team, which had been bonding all weekend, gelled nicely on the field. Henry gave us some sound advice from which we really pulled a lot. After a tiring practice our team and some U/19’s managed to find the energy to play a quick game of paintball, which ended without a single shot being fired, so we played another game … and another. Just when all hope was lost we began to understand the need to run and pull the trigger. The game ended with Karia managing to shoot Garret in the flank, which was perfectly illegal as he had just shot her.
On Monday morning despite the heavy night the U/16’s were on their horses practicing by half past eighty. An intense practice followed and after a paramount display of commitment to stay focused we broke up, satisfied and exhausted we said our goodbyes. The girls drove off into the distance… only to come back and fetch Karia’s saddle bag, the goodbyes were promptly redone and the girls finally did leave… very late.
Thanks all those involved for a great weekend and thanks Lala and Rory for hosting our rowdy team, remember those sleepless nights fondly.
See you all in Zambia!
SQUAD WEEKEND AT RICHMOND
Submitted by Ashley Cooper
Friday: We landed in Durban and were ready for a tight fit into the car. All the girls sat at the back on top of all our luggage. Girls don’t travel light! With bags and all in the Toyota Fortuner we were finally on our way to Richmond. As we arrived we quickly greeted everyone and proceeded to the club house for a motivational speech. We were taught to put all negative things in a box and boot it away. There were also breathing exercises that really helped each and every one of us a lot.
We then proceeded to a braai which was prepared for dinner. We ate around the fire and then went to the Fitton`s home. It was a mission to get all the girls` bags on the bakkie. Luckily the boys were there to help. This was the first step of team building: helping someone in need. On the way back Janine and Jaydee chose a song for our team. “I believe, I can!” this song motivates us to reach our goals.
Saturday: We started by doing stick work with Henry. We then realised that we (u/16) were more dangerous on foot then on horses. We did line-ups and concentrated on the advice Henry was giving us. Every hit that the boys took from the girls seemed to scare them off! We then sorted out all our sticks and got on our horses. We played chukkas and then all went to the Higgs` house to have lunch. We got ready and dressed into old clothes. We arrived at Roselands and got our leaders to take us through the obstacle course.
Scott and Wayne were in charge of the u/16’s. Both of them like winning and pushed us to our limit. I don’t know if it only was for the chocolates, that were the prizes at the end of the day, but team Punjab was up for everything. We went out there and did our best! We didn’t win but we made it a team effort. We also realised that we had to get more fit because Henry was running in front at full speed. And he is the coach!! We had to get dirty and do all kinds of stuff. Through tunnels, through the coldest water ever, over nets, under branches, sliding off a huge pole, hanging on monkey bars and singing all the way. After this fun exercise we showered and got read for dinner at the Fitton`s.
At the Fittons` home there was a massive fire. The fire was the size of a small Wendy house. The biggest I have ever seen. We all lay around the fire and talked. That was the night that four shooting stars made one wish. A wish for the S.A sides to win in Zambia. We all started a disco in the living room. Even if it was Ryan playing the piano or the Ipod playing through the speakers, we partied. Some of us didn’t know our hidden talent for foosball. Karia and I were the champions all weekend. This was the first time for both of us to play. The secret is to turn the handle as fast as you can, or that’s how we won! Everyone left but the u/16 was still up for a game of 30 seconds. Josh was a legend at this. All that I can say is that team Punjab likes winning a lot, even if it includes some cheating. (Ha-ha). Henry gave us a curfew but we couldn’t sleep at all. The boys made a little experimental bomb. Garrett was the master mind behind the experiment. We then went out side after a long struggle to get hold of the keys. We had to remind everyone to be quiet every so often. Every sound that we heard in the house was a signal to hide! Our imagination was getting wildly out of hand. We saw all kinds of stuff including the Tokkelosie and then the bomb went off. Somebody had woken up and sent us to our rooms. That night all the ongoing events had moved us into a Great team.
Sunday: In the morning we were all looking very guilty from the previous night. But we told Henry that everything was done in the name of teamwork. We played polocrosse the whole day long. This was a very good workout that we had. The girls were all complaining about how stiff there arms and butts were. We really learnt that a lot. We played against the u/19 and did well. There were a few things we did wrong but we had to put it in a box and boot it. We then ate at the fields and got out stick bags. For me that was a wonderful moment to see my name on a S.A stick bag. It was then that I realised how big an honour it is to play for your country. All the u/16 and a few u/19 were up for a game of paintball. All though we lost twice we managed to get the flag once. Team effort!! James made all the game plans and paid off. Another night was done of little sleep. “We are sleep behind.” (Karia) Tonight it wasn’t a bomb but a potato gun. It was so much fun!
Monday: There were only a few players left but we still played. The u/16 played against the u/14. There was only little time to play chukkas because the girls had to get to the airport. The girls then went to the stables to dress into other clothes. Now it was to say goodbye. The goodbyes were all done in a few minutes because the girls were late for their flight. After getting in the car, packed full and ready to leave, we thought back of how grateful we were to have had a weekend like this. And that my English improved a lot! “We are going to WIN Zambia” (Ashley) As a team we grew closer to each other. I would never exchange my team for any other. Team Punjab is one in a million. Everything we did, we did as a team. As a unit, as one!
We arrived as strangers and departed as a team!!!
The next issue is the calendar . Currently at the November or February executive meeting we sit and thrash out the calendar which takes the entire executive about 3 hours to work out only for there to be changes later on . Surely one person can co ordinate and be responsible for it resulting in a well planned and thought out Tournament list . Are there not too many small tournaments ? Less tournaments means more teams at a tournament means bigger profit and more money invested back into the club/facility ? On the issue of facilities they play a major role . Don’t under estimate people’s comfort requirements . Zimbabwe pre 2001 and the “land invasion era” were spoilt for facilities with the following clubs boasting fantastic facilities , Hippo Valley , Ruzawi River , Virginia , Matepatepa , Umboe . With the exeption of Hippo owned by Anglo all were privately owned.
With regards to the executive and IPT I would like us to look at the possibility of only 3 provinces.
Cape – Western Province and Eastern Province.
Highveld – Gauteng , Freestate and Mpumalanga .
Natal – Northerns , Southerns and Midlands.
Now when you have an executive meeting there are 6 people ( 3 provincial presidents 1 PASA president 1 Chief Umpire and the secretary ). At the moment we can have up to 14 members in the room . Decision making becomes quite difficult with that many members.
On the the playing side of it there are 3 teams . Impractical so the 4th team is a PASA team . If you don’t make your provincial side then PASA will invite you through the national selection committee to play for PASA . Giving you the opportunity to prove your provincial selectors wrong . Every underdog loves the chance to have a crack at the “big dogs”. I would also like to look at going back to the following divisions . Mens A , Mens B (with a handicap limit) , Ladies , Scholars and U14. Too many divisions weakens the standard . You can also look at were the player was born as a guide . Example Gavin Cocker , Freddie Kreil and Henry Harris were not born in Natal so play for PASA . Squack Whaley and Chavaunne Cooper live in the Highveld but are affiliated to Natal therefore play for Highveld . Further to this run a club tournament alongside IPT for the members who don’t make an IPT team. Look at having IPT every second year to keep it prestigious as they do in Australia . You then say to me but in Aussie they have vast distances to travel . Is the Cape close by?
The idea of this report to create discussion and not for me to impose my thoughts .I have tried to ask the questions that an ordinary polocrosse player would ask and back up some statements with well researched facts .I must thank Lita and Anne Timm for giving me two hours of their time in Mooi River and lending me all the old records and Ninth chukka magazines .I’m not wanting this report to be debated at length and voted on at our IPT 2009 executive meeting rather discussed amongst the polocrosse community and in time fresh ideas hopefully emerge .
Horses and Tack for Sale
- 15h3 – Chestnut Mare
- 7 years old
- Plays any position
- Snaffle mouth
- R 8000 – ono
- 15h1 – Bay Mare
- 5 years old
- Playing polo
- Quite – would make a great kids px horse
- R 8000 – ono
Contact; Belinda – 0824014361
- 15h3 – Chestnut Mare
- 7 years old
- Plays any position
- Snaffle mouth
- R 8000
- 15h1 – Bay Mare
- 5 years old
- Playing polo
- Quite – would make a great kids px horse
- R 8000 – ono
- Contact; Belinda – 0824014361