QUADRANGULAR TOUR COACH POSITION:
Gary Malcolm has declined the offer to be the Coach for the 2009 Quadrangular Tour. It is imperative that this position is now filled as quickly as possible so the New Zealand Polocrosse Board is calling for expression of interest from other parties.
This tour will see Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and South Africa competing together.
Expressions of interest complete with Curriculum Vitae and any other relevant information must be received by the Board Secretary by 5.00pm on Friday 7th November 2008. New Zealand Polocrosse Board Secretary, PO Box 228, WANGANUI 4540
Applicants need to be available for interviews to take place in Taupo on the 13th November 2008. With interviews probably starting at 1.00pm. Previous applicants need to register their interest but will not be asked to submit another CV or attend an interview although they may wish to be  interviewed again.
 No application will necessarily be accepted.

2008 AGM & CONFERENCE:
This was held in Palmerston North on the 27th September 2008 with a great turnout of people, although it was disappointing to see that three Associations had no delegates representing them at this important meeting.
Copies of minutes from both the AGM and the Conference will be forwarded to all Club and Association secretaries.

2006 BY-LAWS:
The 2006 By-Laws were adopted at the AGM with 2008 amendments added. These have been forwarded to all Club and Association Secretaries.

REVIEW OF RULES and BY-LAWS:
At the AGM it was agreed upon for Rozanne Hundley to review and clarify  both the Rules and By-Laws of New Zealand Polocrosse. This process is only a “review” to clarify and where necessary correct any inconsistencies between the Rules and By-Laws, and to insure that the New Zealand Polocrosse Council Rules are compliant with the Incorporated Societies Act. No changes that are drafted will alter the intent or interpretation of the current Rules or By-Laws. Any alterations made will be put to all Associations before a Special General Meeting is held to adopt them.

INCORPORATED SOCIETIES:
The question of the need for Clubs to be Incorporated was raised at the AGM. The following information is from the Incorporated Societies website…
“ An incorporated society is a group of at least 15 people who have applied for registration as an incorporated society under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.  A wide range of groups and organisations apply for incorporation, including sports clubs, music and cultural groups and special interest organisations.
Once registered the incorporated society becomes a separate legal entity distinct from its members.  This means that the members are not personally liable for the society’s debts, contracts or other obligations.  Likewise, members do not have any personal interest in any property or assets owned by the society.
An incorporated society will continue in existence as long as it files certain documents with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies, or until its members, or a creditor, decide to bring the society to an end.”

CENTRE LINE (OVERHAND) THROW:
A unanimous decision by those present at the AGM Conference, and in conjunction with recommendations by the Umpires Panel and Coaching Panel, the centerline (overhand) throw will be reinstated. This will be effective immediately.

RIDING THROUGH THE GOAL POSTS:
The Umpires Panel would like to stay with the no riding thru the goal posts rule, with a ten metre circle marked around the posts. This rule was adopted for safety reasons and after an incident in Queensland recently, with a goal umpire being airlifted to hospital after being run down behind the goal posts, the Umpires panel see a definite need to continue with this rule.

NEW TROPHIES:
Bomber Equestrian Equipment has kindly donated a trophy for the “Best Junior Horse and Rider Combination”. This will be a floating trophy for the Juniors and Intermediates which is to remain in NZ. The winner is to be someone who has developed their own horse, not a horse that has been purchased as a made horse.
Bomber Equestrian Equipment has also donated 2 racquets and caps - a set for the most improved players in both Junior and Intermediates.

Richard Koorey has generously donated a hand carved horse and player carving to be used as a trophy for the 2009 Quadrangular Tour, to go to the owner of the best horse given to a New Zealander to ride.

NEW CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS:
The New Zealand Polocrosse Board has approved the formation of the Auckland Polocrosse Association, which will include Redvale, Counties and a new Club “Franklin” as its members. Congratulations to those people behind forming this Association and another new Club. It is great to see such enthusiasm and new members joining polocrosse.

CARNIVAL DATES:
The Board apologises for the delay in getting confirmed carnival dates out but they had been awaiting confirmation of a couple of fixtures, which could have changed a few other carnival dates. The calendar has been e-mailed to Clubs and Associations. Any changes will be notified ASAP. Dates should also be able to be viewed on the website.

NATIONAL FIXTURES:
Juniors & Intermediates - The 2009 Juniors and Intermediates will be hosted by Tuwharetoa Polocrosse Club on the 17th and 18th January 2009. Entries will now be required 7 days prior to this event.
Inter-Association Championships - Wanganui-Waimarino Polocrosse Association will be hosting the Inter-Association Championships on Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th April 2009.

MIXED DIVISIONS:
The Inter-Associations Championships will run a mixed division and several other Clubs will also hold mixed divisions at their carnivals this season.
Te Maire will be holding a mixed division and a masters division at their carnival.

NEW SEASONS FORMS:
All Clubs and Associations should have received by e-mail copies of the new forms for this season – including Carnival levies, Affiliation forms and Address forms. These forms are also available on the website.
Could address form – with Club and Association details be returned , preferably by e-mail to the secretary at saunders-loder@actrix.co.nz as soon as possible to allow for a new contact list to be drawn up.

TOURS FOR THIS SEASON:
The Board would like to advise all Clubs and Associations of the following tours proposed for this playing season...

Maitland Juniors to New Zealand –
Billets and horses will be required for the two weekends that these Juniors are in New Zealand.
They will be playing at the Juniors and Intermediates (as a team on the losing side of the draw) on the 17th & 18th January 2009, and the following weekend at the Putaruru – Tirau carnival on the 24th & 25th January.
Please contact the Board if you are interested in hosting and / or horsing these players.

Queensland Mixed to New Zealand –
An invitation has been extended for a mixed Queensland team to tour to New Zealand, playing at Kaitieke Carnival on the 28th February and 1st March 2009 and as a highlight for the Sponsors Carnival the following weekend. The Putaruru – Tirau Polocrosse Club have offered to host and horse this team for the week before the Sponsors Carnival but horses will be required for the Sponsors Carnival for this team.

Quadrangular Tour to Australia -
The Quadrangular tour to Australia is confirmed for the 16th to 19th April 2009.  This tour will see Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and South Africa competing together.

New Zealand Junior Team to New South Wales –
The Board has received an invitation for a mixed Junior Team to take part in the Multi States Junior Series in New South Wales on the 25th and 26th April 2009.

Intermediate Tour –
The Board will be working in conjunction with the Coaching panel to try and arrange a tour for the Intermediates this season. The Board believes that it is important that the Intermediates are given the opportunity to travel, as a team, as part of their succession through the grades of polocrosse and for their development as a player and as part of the progression towards playing at an International level.

HORSE TREK:
A flyer has been sent out by e-mail to all Clubs and Associations advertising the horse trek that is being organised by the 2011 World Cup Fundraising and Sponsorship Committee. The trek will be held on Saturday the 22nd November 2008, starting from Kakahu Rd,  Okoroire. The trek will offer magnificent views of the Kaimai and Mamaku ranges; riding through 4 properties over hill country, through native bush and streams.         
Start time is 10.30 am sharp. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. Cost is $45 per adult, $25 for school age children or $100 for a family (max 4).
All other enquiries to – Ruth Tye ph/fax 07 8831303 or email   tyes@ihug.co.nz
People are welcome to stay over and attend the Putaruru –Tirau Polocrosse Club practice on the Sunday, being held at Bruce Reynolds property.

FIRST AID FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT CARNIVALS:
After discussion at conference on this matter, the Board strongly recommends that all Clubs and Associations have an ambulance (or quick access to an ambulance) or a St John’s First Response Officer on duty at their carnivals.
Local St John’s or ambulance stations should be informed in advance of when and where the carnivals are to be held, with directions given if it is an obscure setting. 

CARVED WOODEN HORSES:
There are three small carved wooden horses – complete with polocrosse players in action, available for sale. These have been hand carved by Richard Koorey and are available for sale at $250.00 each. Clubs or Associations may be interested in these to be used as trophies or prizes or people may wish to purchase them for themselves. Please contact Lawrence Tye for further details.    

COACHING AND UMPIRE PANEL ADMINISTRATORS:
The Coaching Panel Administrator is Michelle Higgie   Phone: 07 895 9293  
E-mail: m.higgie@xtra.co.nz

The Umpires Panel Administrator is Helen McKenzie   Phone: 07 893 8713 
E-mail: ghholmes@xtra.co.nz

BROCHURES:
The Board has just received funding from Pub Charity to have more brochures printed. These should be available by the early December. If any Clubs require brochures for promotion of polocrosse please contact the Board Secretary. The New Zealand Polocrosse Board would like to acknowledge and thank Pub Charity for their funding of this project.

RACQUETS  & BALLS:
The Board still has some Bennet Polocrosse racquets and balls for sale - 
Standard racquet: $140.00   Pro Racquet: $165.00           Balls: $40.00
These are available by contacting Lawrence Tye ph:07 883 1303 or
Alastair Cumming ph: Ph   09 426 4939
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.

POLOCROSSE BOOKS FOR SALE:
“Polocrosse – A Practical Guide”, written by Amanda Choice. These books are a valuable resource and are available for sale at a reduced price of only $35.00 each. Please contact Robin Cave (ph: 06 376 6908) or Lawrence Tye (ph: 07 883 1303).

Raewyn Saunders-Loder
(Secretary)