The Area 8 Polocrosse Camp, kindly sponsored by Fenn Wright and the Motorcycle Restoration Company, took place for the fourth year at Marks Tey Racecourse . This year saw the biggest ever turnout and despite the weather being not particularly kind on Saturday, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.
The coaches started arriving from far and wide on the Friday evening with Iain Heaton, Chris Milburn and Andy Garrow making the journeys down from Warwickshire and up from Kent. They were then up early on the Saturday morning to mark out the pitch, which had been beautifully mowed by Bowman and Sons Paddock Services. Iain, Chris and Andy were joined by Charlotte Winder on Saturday morning to complete our coaching team.
With the players divided up into their groups everyone was treated to some fantastic coaching on Saturday, followed by a lovely fish and chip supper in the sunshine. On Sunday, the players all took part in fun, coached chukkas all day and saw some great play from everyone. Some personal goals were met and surpassed and it was a treat to see so many smiling faces.
The weekend ended with a great display of polocrosse in a demo game from our coaches and with a special guest appearance from New Zealand international player Edie Neil. The day closed with a prize giving at which all of the Pony Club members were awarded with their Pony Club Championships qualifier rosette, as well as a few special prizes picked out by the coaches over the weekend. A huge well done to the following Pony Club members who have earned themselves a place at Champs in August:
Amelia Payne (EEHPC)
Ruby Payne (EEHPC)
Henrietta Newble (N&THPC)
Eloise Kirkham (E&SHPC)
Olivia Kirkahm (E&SHPC)
Antonia Gorbitz (E&SHPC)
Mollie Palmer O’Donoghue (ECPC)
Lois Landon (E&SHPC)
Xanthe Goodman (EHNPC)
James Garvin (EUPC)
Taryn Tinker (E&SHPC)
Seona McCredie (E&SHPC)
Stella Stearn (SHPC)
Jack Page (EFPC)
Emma Joslin (E&SHPC)
Theo Todd (HFEC)
Thea Ryan (HFEC)
Ali peck (HFEC)
Zoe Annis (HFEC)
Amelia Downing (HFEC)
Obviously this event couldn’t happen without the amazing volunteers who organise the weekend. The Area 8 mums and dads were kept pretty busy all weekend, particularly on the Sunday when they were busy scoring, time keeping and goal judging, while their children had the fun off playing!
A huge thank you must go to our Area 8 Polocrosse Coordinator Caro Daniels and her husband Chris for all their organisation in advance and then making sure everything runs smoothly over the weekend, including keeping everyone fed and watered. Chris also acted as official photographer – hundreds of photos have been posted on the Area 8 Polocrosse Facebook page.
Here’s to it being even bigger and better next year!