Please forward information on to your members. 

ROKE & ROCKWOOD COMPETITION:
Expressions of interest are being called for from Clubs / Associations wishing to host the Roke & Rockwood competition on the 12th & 13th April 2008.
This event will be catering for a full Second Division and there will be no Open Carnival run at this weekend.
Please contact the Board Chairperson, Robin Cave – Phone 06 376 6908, for clarification on any matters regarding the running of this event.
Expressions of interest are to be sent to the New Zealand Polocrosse Board Secretary, PO Box 228, WANGANUI by the 1st February 2008.

JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIPS:
The New Zealand Polocrosse Board are calling for expressions of interest from Junior players wishing to be nominated  for the following exchange programmes with Australia for the 2008 playing season –  New South Wales (x2), Queensland (x1).
Expressions of interest need to be sent to the New Zealand Polocrosse Board Secretary, PO Box 228, WANGANUI by the 28th February 2008 and should include a CV of the player, a supporting letter from the players Association, a signed letter of approval from the parent of guardian and other relevant information such as a character reference form school and an outline of the players involvement with polocrosse and their aims for the future within polocrosse.

DRAW COMMITTEE SCHOOL:
With the need for more experienced draw committee people, the New Zealand Polocrosse Board is aiming to run a “Draw Committee School”, where interested people can learn how to organise and run a draw for a carnival or a competition. The more people that are able to learn these skills the better. Anyone interested in this “course” should contact Robin Cave, Board Chairperson, ASAP.

JUNIORS & INTERMEDIATES COMPETITION:
Results from the Juniors & Intermediates Competition held in Turangi last weekend and hosted by Tuwharetoa Polocrosse Club, are –
Winners Junior Division: Waikato 1
Runners Up Junior Division: King Country 1

Winners Intermediate Division: Waikato
Runners Up Intermediate Division: Wanganui-Waimarino    

For full results etc click here

UNDER 21 TEAM verse NEW SOUTH WALES:
The New Zealand Under 21 team to play against New South Wales was selected at the Juniors & Intermediates competition and consists of the following players –
Men: Anaru Kururangi, Jonno Eales, Jessee Kereopa, Toby Richardson
Ladies: Nadine Dempster, Laura Dempster, Caron Mouat, Sarah Holmes

JUNIOR SELECTION SQUAD:
The 2008 Junior Squad was also selected at the Juniors and Intermediates competition and consists of the following players –
Danielle Looby, Flo Cumming, Kyla Hill, Taumai Duff, Carey-Lee Cornelius, Sam
Cunningham, Sheldon Carr, Jarrod Pollock

SENIOR NEW SOUTH WALES MIXED TEAM  - TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND:
New South Wales have accepted an invitation from New Zealand Polocrosse to come to New Zealand and play at the Sponsors Carnival in February. The New South Wales team will play against 3 New Zealand development squads made up of 9 men and 9 women. Men selected for the New Zealand team will need to be able to provide two horses each for the horse pool.
Only those players who would meet the criteria for playing in an International game (2 + 2 rule) will be eligible to play in any of the three Development Squads against New South Wales.
Shane Hill, Russell Tye and Gary Malcolm have been named as the three coaches for these development squads.

SPONSORS CARNIVAL- DOM HEALTH POLOCROSSE TOURNAMENT:
This will be held on the weekend of 23rd / 24th February 2008, at the New Zealand Equestrian Events Centre in Taupo. Entry Fee is $210.00 per team or $35.00 per person. Horse Pens – use open pens only! Please do not use covered pens or you will be charged $12 per night extra.
Evening Meal and Live Entertainment - $15.00 per person, $1.00 per year for children up to 10 years. Door charge $10.00 per person if not attending the meal. Dress code semi formal – definitely no riding attire allowed.
Feature Game – New South Wales playing New Zealand selection at 6.00pm.
For further information, or entries (which are due in by Wednesday 20th February 2008), please contact Anne Mickell – phone 07 828 5850, e-mail hillwayfarm@clear.net.nz or contact Ruth Tye at tyes@ihug.co.nz

COACHING CAMP:
Coaching Camp, held in Turangi from the 15th to 17th January, was well attended by coaches and players alike. Thanks to the Coaching Panel and Wayne Bushnell for organising this event, Tuwharetoa Polocrosse Club for their support and to Putaruru –Tirau Polocrosse Club for donating the pens that were used.

RACQUETS  & BALLS: A new shipment of racquets and balls is due from Bennets of Australia – there has been a slight price increase. The new prices are as follows –
Standard racquet: $140.00          Pro Racquet: $165.00        Balls: $40.00
These are available by contacting Lawrence Tye – ph:07 883 1303
Raewyn West, of King Country Saddlery in Taumarunui, also stocks a range of Polocrosse racquets and balls, along with all other gear that you may need for your horse.

PLAYER TRANSFERS:
A reminder that any player wishing to transfer Clubs must follow the correct procedures as outlined in the By-Laws, which state –

1. A polocrosse player registered with one club and wishing to transfer to another, must notify his/her club and Association three weeks (21) days prior to the transfer being effective, ie being eligible to represent their new club or Association in the Roke & Rockwood Trophies, or the Inter-Association Championships.
2. Only in special circumstances will dispensation be granted for transfer and not less than five days prior to the competition.
3. Approval for transfer will be given by the NZ Polocrosse Board subject to approval from the Club the player is leaving.
4. The club and Association into which the player is transferring shall be responsible to notify the Board three weeks (21) days prior to the transfer being effective.
5. A transfer fee, to be set by the Board annually, is to be paid with application for transfer during the playing season.
6. The Board may waive this fee if a player registers with one club/Assn but has not represented that Club/Assn during the season prior to transferring to a new club/Assn.
7. The Board may waiver this fee if the transfer is to assist in the formation of a new Club which promotes the growth of the sport.

GEAR CUSTODIAN:
New Zealand Polocrosse is still looking for someone to take over the job of Gear Custodian from Carey Wenn who is very busy with her publicity role. If anyone is interested in this position, please contact Carey directly (07 895 4670) and she will explain to what is involved.

POLOCROSSE BOOKS FOR SALE:
“Polocrosse – A Practical Guide”, written by Amanda Choice. These books are a valuable resource and are available for sale at $40.00 each. Please contact Robin Cave.

Yours Sincerely

Raewyn Saunders-Loder
(Secretary)