I’d like to start by thanking the New Zealand Polocrosse council for giving me the opportunity to go to Australia on the Polocrosse scholarship. I really enjoyed the time I spent over there & have learnt so much from the experience.

Kendal & I flew out of Auckland on the 9th of July just ahead of the Under 21 Polocrosse squad and we met up with them at Sydney airport. We met up with Paul Carter & travelled 6 hours to Quirindi. There I met Jane Melbourne, the mother of the first family I had the pleasure to stay with for the first week & a half whilst over there.

From there I travelled with Jane a further 2 hours to Narrabri & met up with Jane’s husband Lachlan & their 3 children Sarah, Joe & Jessie. We hit it off instantly and they made me feel so welcome.
The next day I met my horse Tara. What a Fabulous horse! Then next thing we were off to the Bunnan carnival in Scone.

I played for the Galloping Gully club as a number 2. It was awesome & they are a great bunch of people.

During the week we worked our horses, went hunting for kangaroos & foxes, rode motorbikes on the Melbourne’s great big farm, & collected fresh water crayfish in their damn. I loved it, what a mean experience.

That weekend we went to the Bingara carnival. I played number 2 for Galloping Gully’s 2nd team. We won our grade and that was the highlight of that weekend.

The following Monday, Paul Carter picked Kendal & I up & drove us 4 hours to Cessnock where the 2nd family I was to stay with met us. Chubs & Cheryl Thompson and their children Sally & Bree. They are truly an awesome family that I was so lucky to be a part of.

During that week we worked the horses, but we were unable to attend the carnival as it was too far away so we went to the movies & ice skating instead which I really enjoyed.
The final week I was there we continued to work our horses & I met my horse that I would be riding at the Zone Champs called Dixie. Another fabulous horse!

Friday morning, we were up early and off to Young 11 hours away where the Zone champs were being held. I played for a team called the Emu’s which consisted of Kendal & I along with 1 Canadian, 1 Australian & 2 members of the UK team.

We played in the Junior Open Grade but unfortunately we lost 2 out of 3 games. I really enjoyed playing with them all because they were all a good bunch to be around.

Sadly, the following Monday we were heading back to New Zealand.

I really enjoyed the experience I had over in Australia & am truly grateful for having the opportunity to improve my skills by experiencing the different style of play over there. Not only have I got a better outlook of Polocrosse & horsemanship, but I have made some great friends. Their hospitality was overwhelming & can’t wait to show the same in return.

Terry-Lee Tawera
2009 Junior Scholarship