Australian World Cup team takes on the Kiwis in Ballarat
The Australian Polocrosse World Cup team is preparing to take to the field for the first time this week, taking on the New Zealand World Cup team in Ballarat, Victoria on 16-17 February.
Held as part of the Ballarat Polocrosse Club’s annual tournament, this will be the first time the Australian team has played together in an official capacity, coming together in Victoria from their home states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.
Taking place from 22-28 April 2019 in Warwick, Queensland, the Adina Polocrosse World Cup 2019 is the biggest international event on the polocrosse calendar and will be the largest international sporting event ever to be held in rural Australia. It will attract 60,000 spectators, over 2,000 international visitors, and 300 players from eight countries, all battling it out for the sport’s top honour.
Making up the Australian team are:
From NSW:
Lucy Grills (Albury/Holbrook Polocrosse Club) - Captain
Abbott Grills (Albury/Holbrook Polocrosse Club) – Captain
Jim Grills (Albury/Holbrook Polocrosse Club)
Will Weston (Jugiong Polocrosse Club)
Lance Anderson (Cassilis Polocrosse Club)
From Queensland:
Lauren Sillitoe (Tansey Polocrosse Club)
Beth Hafey (Tansey Polocrosse Club)
From WA:
Suzette Thomas (South Midlands Polocrosse Club)
Supporting the Australian World Cup team are Coach Arch Anderson of NSW, Assistant Coach Cameron Shepherd of QLD, Team Manager Pip Crook of WA and Assistant Team Manager Toni Davidge of NSW who all have significant experience with representative teams.
President of the Victorian Polocrosse Association, Mick Templeton, said the free event provided an opportunity for spectators to witness some of the best polocrosse being played in Australia.
“The World Cup team is Australia’s elite, and we are thrilled to host the team’s training matches as part of our annual tournament,” Mick said.
“It is a real drawcard for the event, and very inspiring and motivating for local players to be able to see what can be achieved in our sport. Playing for Australia in the World Cup is every young polocrosse player’s dream, and these games give them chance to dream big and meet some of the best players in the country,” he said.
Coach of the Australian World Cup team, Arch Anderson, said it will be exciting to see the team perform together for the first time.
“Many of the players have played together in previous representative matches, however this will be their first opportunity to play as the team that will represent Australia in the World Cup,” Arch said.
“We have a great relationship with the New Zealand team, and we will be heading over there in March to have another round of competitive games on their home soil. Having another world class team to practise with is an important part of our preparation,” he said.
The 2019 Ballarat Polocrosse Tournament will be held at Ballarat Polocrosse Club, Airport Road in Mitchell Park, from 16-17 February, 2019. Entry into the event for spectators is free of charge. Food and drinks are available for purchase on site and there will be a raffle with great prizes. Gates open at 8am both days.
Polocrosse is one of only three homegrown Australian sports, along with Aussie Rules football and Campdrafting.
The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Adina Polocrosse World Cup 2019, which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.