Australia
History of Polocrosse in Australia
Founding nation of the sport of polocrosse and of the World Cup championships, inaugural champions and this year's hosts, the Australians have twice won the Polocrosse World Cup.
Having lost in the final of the past two World Cups, the Australians are keen to reclaim the championship on home turf at the Adina Polocrosse World Cup 2019.
The World Cup was begun as an initiative of Les Fraser, president of the Warwick Polocrosse Club in Queensland. The first two World Cups were hosted by the Warwick Polocrosse Club, before being sent overseas for two years. For 2019, Warwick Polocrosse Club again won the privilege of hosting the World Cup.
Australia at the World Cup
2003 – 1st
2007 – 1st
2011 – 3rd
2015 – 3rd (current world ranking)
What will give Australia an edge at the World Cup?
A very good team for a start with great players for all key positions - and they get on together exceptionally well. The team has both youth and experience, and here are some very good horsemen on the team.
Training
The Australian team will get together as often as possible to train, though this is difficult with players living in three states, including one living 4,000km from the others. The team will play two test series against New Zealand prior to World Cup.
Who to watch
The men’s side have all played in a World Cup and been beaten and they don’t want to go through that again. For this World Cup the team has insight into how the current world champions play having played South Africa in a test series in 2017.
Abbott Grills will be the captain and Lucy Grills the vice captain of the Aussie Roos.
The 2019 Australian World Cup team
Country Australia
Club Cassilis
Occupation Horse Chiropractor
Number of years played 29 years
Past representation 7 times at Nationals
Country Australia
Position Captain
Club Albury Holbrook
Occupation Farm Manager
Number of years played 22 years
Past representation 2015 World Cup, Nationals
Country Australia
Club Albury Holbrook
Occupation Personal Trainer/Footballer/Farmer
Number of years played 17 years
Past representation 5 Nationals, 5 Internationals
Country Australia
Club Jugiong
Occupation Farmer
Number of years played 25 years
Past representation Nationals
Country Australia
Club Tansey
Occupation Student
Number of years played 10 years
Past representation U21 Australia v South Africa Test 2017. Australia v Zambia Test 2018
Country Australia
Position Vice Captain
Club Albury Holbrook
Occupation Graphic and Web Designer/Farmer
Number of years played 18 years
Country Australia
Club Tansey
Occupation Mother
Number of years played 15 years
Past representation Australian Polocrosse Nationals 2006-2018, 2015 World Cup, 2015 Aus vs NZ Womens Test
Country Australia
Club South Midlands
Occupation Owner/Operator of Swim School
Number of years played 28 years
Past representation World Cup 2007, UK Tour 2008, Quads 2009, Nationals 2014, South Africa Test 2017
Country Australia
Role Coach
Club Cassilis
Occupation Occupation Horse Float Builder
Number of years played 38 years
Past Representation Coached 7 winning National teams
Country Australia
role Manager
Club Kojonup Polo & Polocrosse Club
Occupation Farmer
Number of years played 25 years
Past Representation Managed U16 Australian team in 2016, represented Western Australia 2016 + 2018