Following the announcement of their selection for the NSW team in 2013, Jessica O’Brien, Brett Woodward and Cody Woodward had to be at peak fitness, and focused on preparing themselves and their horses for the hot and out-of-season conditions in Darwin.

The Australian National Polocrosse Championships are held bi-annually and Fred’s Pass Reserve in Darwin was the venue for the Northern Territory Association to hold this huge event. More than 400 competitors and their horses, and an additional 2000 family, friends and support crews, enjoyed the NT hospitality for the 12-day event with its excellent fields and facilities.

O’Brien played in the NSW under 21 women’s team, said it was a personal goal and dream to represent NSW and play at the Nationals. 

“I played for NSW at the Barastoc Interstate Series at Warwick, Queensland in both 2013 and 2014, which was great experience, but the standard of play and the intensity of the National Championships is another step higher,” O’Brien said. 

“We played Victoria, West Australia, NT and Queensland in round games during the week undefeated and played Queensland again in the final on Sunday.

“It was a close hard game of eight by six minute chukkas, and in the NT heat it was very important to manage yourself and your horse’s energy for the full game. 

“Our team played really well together, and we were able to run out winners over the strong Queensland team, 20-17.

Cody Woodward was part of the NSW under 21 men’s team, which is a huge achievement for the 17-year-old, who is just recently out of the under 16 division. 

Woodward’s team also remained undefeated through the rounds, and played Queensland again in the final. Unfortunately they were overpowered by a strong and refreshed Queensland team, and came in as runners-up in the under-21 men’s division.

Brett Woodward was a member of the NSW Senior Mixed Team. It was his ninth National Championship, which indicated his consistency, and certainly his extensive experience and knowledge was invaluable to his team.

He took control of games and dominated the No.3 position, as he does so well. NSW senior mixed were also undefeated during their round games and ran out convincing winners against Queensland in the final.

NSW teams dominated the finals and won six out of the nine divisions. The brought home wins in the Open Men’s, under 21 women’s, Senior Mixed, Masters Mixed, under 16 boys, under 12 sub-juniors and were runners-up in the finals of under 21 men’s and under 16 girls. The Opens Women’s team did not make the final.

While the representative players have been away, Inverell club members have put in a huge effort at the club’s new grounds at Mount Stirling, 11 kilometres west of Inverell, off Eddy Park Lane. 

A new amenities building was completed, which now has flushing toilets and a new tank. A new large shelter shed will be completed to provide an enclosed area for dining. The playing fields have been prepared and are ready to host the club’s second annual carnival on the weekend of August 2-3.

This is a huge effort and a lot of work by the committed club members. The club would like to thank the local sponsors for their generous sponsorship to assist in developing the new grounds and prizes for the carnival.

Inverell Polcrosse Club would like to invite any interested spectators to come along next weekend to see what has been achieved and to watch some games. Play is on both Saturday and Sunday and commences at 8:30am. New players and members are always welcome. 

For more information contact secretary Leonie Buchan 0427 255 825.