Chukka Chat June 2022
2022 Barastoc
Touring
2022 Barastoc Report
After an initiative from the players to attend this event, 4 of the 5 WA players headed to Brisbane with a whopping 950 kg of gear where they met their SA ring in, Olivia Berkin before continuing on to sunny Warwick. Unfortunately this was the most sun the team would see for the week! After meeting up with Holly Wittig (Vic) and Georgina Abott they headed into town for a team dinner and Bingo with Holly and Alix winning the night.
Most of the horses arrived Thursday and the girls spent time getting a feel for the ponies. Thursday evening saw the official function where the Australian & New Zealand teams were introduced and WA’s own Trish Jones was awarded the Doreen Shepherd Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Leadership in Australian Womens Polocrosse. Friday morning saw the last of the horses arriving and the girls had a quick burn to review options and finalise horse choices.
The first game saw the team play Qld 1 who had played at Nationals only 3 weeks earlier. The girls played well but were still learning their horses and were well coached by Mandy. The score sheet certainly did not reflect how they played. Following the game, the team watched the 2 remaining teams play before assisting with strapping for the NZ Womens & Mens Sides.
Saturday saw the team stepping out in Round 5 to play NSW who only 3 weeks prior had won this grade at the Nationals. They had an awesome first four chukkas with our girls stopping NSW from scoring in the first and then running pretty even with them. The game continued to grow with WA heading in the 5th Chukka up by 1. The girls had all played exceptionally well, moving the ball in centerfield, using each other well and getting the best from their ponies. Unfortunately the girls started to tire and we went down to NSW by 10 – Mikayla Elford showing why she was awarded best number 1 at nationals with a 7 goal chukka. Then Saturday night it rained and then rained some more, resulting in Sunday’s games being cancelled.
All seven girls played above their pointed level of polocrosse and did a mighty job on strange horses. Most of our players were completely out of season and had not played any interstate polocrosse for several years.
The team received lots of comments about how great it was to see the Black and Gold back. Les Fraser had specifically organised the second QLD intermediate girls’ team so the draw would work with the 4 teams. The team being there initiated a lot of talk between the states regarding the possibility of more touring for not just the elite but also intermediate development sides. Our intermediate development officer Hannah Adams has some big plans for the intermediates so keep an eye out for her posts!
The families who lent horses were amazing, and the girls held up the fantastic reputation the state has for looking after borrowed horses. Helping owners’ clean stalls, do waters, feeds and rugs pays back in the long run. Many people said that if they had known we were looking for horses they would have been happy to put some forward, which is always great to hear.
Congratulations to Alix Kennedy, Brooke Waddingham, Georgina Abbott, Hannah Rutley, Tyla Maguire, Holly Wittig (Vic) and Olivia Berkin (SA) for playing so well, they absolutely deserved the feedback that they were a really nice team to coach and manage, were happy to play wherever they were put and were good sports people.
A big thank you to the Dawson, McMaster, Harris, Elford, Davis and Stevenson families for loaning ponies and to Mandy Marriott and Hannah Adams for coaching and managing the team. The players and PAWA would like to thank all of the sponsors:
- Dark Horse Halters
- Coolz Embroidery
- Muchea Stock and Country
- Matt Atkinson of Kojonup Ag Supplies
- Meryl Haley racing
- DBC Butchering Company - Mark Panizza
- Springbrook Sport Horses
Photo courtesy of the Wife creative
2022 Narrabri Tour
Congratulations to the Juniors selected for the interstate tour to Narrabri in NSW. They depart June 28th for two great weekends in NSW hosted by the Northwest Plains. Luckily enough they get to watch the PAA Test match as well!!
Goodluck kids and Coach Heather Dunlop, Manager Kerryn Parsons
- Lachlan Trezise
- Siena Kulkulj
- Sophie Miller
- Tatum Ryan
- Archie Thomas
- Colm Galvin
PAWA News
Polocrosse Association of WA License Plates
The PAWA is looking at ordering more PAWA License Plates, in order to do so we need to be able to order 10 or more. Please submit your EOI to the State Executive Officer, seo@polocrossewa.com.au
A Message from the SCU
Vale Hugh Boyd
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Hugh Boyd passed away suddenly on the 25th May. Hugh was a much loved member of the polocrosse world and will be sadly missed by us all (young and old). Details of the funeral will be shared soon. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Coaches
Requirements for Coaches
- All PAWA Coaches are required to hold WWC certifications. Please send through a copy of your certification to the State Executive Officer to have this added to your records. If you do not have a record of your WWC, or have not completed one in the last 3 years, please let the SEO know and the PAWA will provide you with the necessary paperwork. For any information on obtaining a WWC please visit this link https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/
- SportAus have launched a world class course for community coaches. All current accredited coaches are required to complete this course and send through the certificate to Director of Coaching Mandy Marriott seo@polocrossewa.com.au, see information below.
https://www.sportaus.gov.au/coaching/course
https://learning.ausport.gov.au/login/index.php
The new Community Coaching Essential Skills Course has been developed in collaboration with sports and will benefit the whole sector, supporting local clubs, their volunteer coaches and most importantly every player and athlete.
PAL News
National Executive Officer
Kate Grills has been appointed the new PAL NEO. Kate Grills comes to the role very highly qualified having been an NEO for both Netball Aus and Athletics Aus.
National Umpire Management Committee
Congratulations to the following delegates on their appointment to the NUMC
- Charlie Grills - Victoria and SA
- Nikki Barndon - Queensland
- Chris Sillitoe - WA, Tasmania and NT
- Phil Day - NSW
DLGSCI and Grants
Grants
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
he Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Active Regional Communities Grant building capacity and enabling participation in sport. The Active Regional Communities (ARC) Grants program aims to increase the opportunities for regional people to participate in sport and active recreation activities in regional Western Australia.
https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/.../active-regional...
Training
Peel Sports Forum
Peel Sports Forum 2022 is nearly upon us.Register your attendence at this FREE event.
https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/.../peel-sports-forum-2022
This annual event delivers education, training and professional development to the Western Australian sport and recreation sector. This event will allow you to network with others from the industry and focuses on volunteering in today’s world and how sports and clubs can adapt. Learn more about what motivates youth to volunteer and what clubs can do to attract them. Hear a live example of a great success story on how to grow your club’s membership and volunteers, and what are the characteristics of successful clubs.
This year’s guest speaker is Bradley Sheppard. Brad is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League.
Engage with some athletes who have been selected to the Peel Regional Academy of Sports (PRAS) Talent Development Program and how it’s helped them excel in their sport.
Upcoming Events
Intermediate Grade at Foothills
EOI are being sought for intermediates interested in competiting in an interstate intermdiate grade at Foothills tournament in October. Nomination to this event will require you to provide/source a suitable horse to an interstate intermediate for the duration of the weekend. If you think you might be keen to participate please complete this form 2022 Intermediate Competition Foothills. Any questions please contact the State Executive Officer, seo@polocrossewa.com.au or the Intermediate Development Officer Hannah Adams idopawa@outlook.com
Fund Raising
In March, the PAWA shared the success of the Capel Polocrosse Club Inc. via the Facebook page but now they need a bit more help to make this dream a reality!! Chip in to help the club raise funds so that we can continue to use these wonderful facilities!!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/desperately-need-new-clubrooms...
Congratulations to Capel Polocrosse Club Inc. and Capel Regional Equestrian Park - CREP Polocrosse WA looks forward to continued use of these amazing facilities and cant wait to see the refurbishments!
New Website and App
The new Polocrosse WA website is up and running! Locate it here Polocrosse WA Website
Please download the app that goes with it to have easy access to all things polocrosse related in WA using the link here Polocrosse WA App
If you have any comments or suggestion please let us know here Polocrosse WA Suggestion Box
