Over the weekend of May 26 and 27, over 30 teams attended the first annual tournament of the reformed Braidwood Polocrosse Club. The scene was set for a great weekend of polocrosse - the weather was excellent, the club members had worked hard at organising the fields and the grounds and the Southern Highlands team, with several South West Zone teams, were eager to put on a great spectacle.
The frosty Saturday morning ensured a sunny day and that the polocrosse would be spectacular. An A-grade team from Albury, along with the Lake George team and Braidwood, combined to impress on the locals and the visitors who stopped that they were seeing some of the best polocrosse in the state. At the end of the weekend, the Lake George team was victorious, winning the A-grade competition in fine style against a weakened Albury side. The women’s competition was also very impressive, where the Lake George Women’s team outclassed their opposition, winning the Braidwood Town and Country Real Estate trophy.
In the lower grades, there were some very close games and several goal countbacks sorted the finalists out. Several local lads had their first polocrosse game. Locals, Ryan Elliot and Fergus Lyons, joined their friend, James Laurie, to make up a section with Carly Young, Richard Laing (a visiting New Zealander) and Jason Andrews from Windellama. They all played extremely well and won the D-grade competition. Three out of the six players had not played before and they all enjoyed their games. James Laurie, on a very young horse, won the best player in the D-grade. In the sub-juniors, young Sarah Pearson, Victoria and Olivia Laurie enjoyed their first outing together.
The free entry fee was another boost to the spectators, who stopped and ventured in off the highway. Several Japanese tourists and several American visitors stopped to see what was happening on their way to the coast and they were very impressed by the horses and the horsemanship that they encountered. Local player, Aaron Clarke, again displayed his horsemanship to win the overall horse and rider combination. He received a woollen rug, donated and sponsored by Wongabel Farmstay. Another coveted prize, the best horse of the tournament, was won by Robert Sibley. Riverdale Australian Stockhorse Stud donated the wonderful trophy and David Cooper’s Saddlery made and donated a stockman’s breastplate as a prize.
Local businessman, Michael Griffin, the owner of Wongabel Farmstay, the major sponsor of the Braidwood Polocrosse Club, saw that his support was well worth the while. He stated that this sort of event is the type of event that Braidwood should support and, through this support, grows the interest of visitors and tourism. “The talent that we have in our local team is enormous,” he said, “and that is not just the players. The management of the event was spot-on, the team effort was extraordinary and that is what we need in a small town - well co-ordinated events that bring people into the area and, when they are here, we need to offer them something to ensure their return.”
The sponsorship and support that the club received was outstanding. Many local groups and businesses supported by supplying prizes or materials. Daniel Walker Wesfarmers Landmark were great supporters and Kay and Richard were there in person to enjoy the polocrosse and to give the club support. Kay, as one of the club’s patrons, sashed the Braidwood 1st team as the best turned-out team and she stated that they all presented well and that their uniforms were very striking. Well done!
Several other businesses, such as Braidwood Servicemen’s Club, Shell Advantage Petroleum, Braidwood Lolly Shop, Braidwood Building and Rural Supplies, the Braidwood Grog Shop, the Top Supermarket, Braidwood Town and Rural Real Estate and Bunyip Jungle Nursery, all contributed, and the club members were very grateful.
The district support was also enormous, with donations from Arnpell Civil Engineering Bateman’s Bay, Ancare Genesis Equine, Fortdodge Aust Pty Ltd, Waratah Wire, Iplex Pipes, Coprice, Queanbeyan Rural, Hiscock’s Saddlery Queanbeyan, Fife’s Stockfeed Goulburn, Bob Well’s Saddlery Goulburn and Virbac/Vetsearch Australia.
The club members were delighted that they had several representatives from a number of the companies that gave their support. Amey Hurst from Virbac/Vetsearch and Willey Wettersall from Waratah Wire were very impressed with polocrosse, saying that they would be back next year. The polocrosse in Braidwood certainly went off well, so remember to keep the Braidwood Polocrosse weekend free next year so you can enjoy the fun and support the polocrosse at the Showground.
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