On behalf of the Polocrosse Association of Australia and our hosts the Northern Territory Polocrosse Association, I have great pleasure in welcoming all players, officials, members and guests to the 2002 ONESTEEL METALAND AUSTRALIAN POLOCROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

I especially welcome our International guests to the premier event in the Australian Polocrosse Calendar, held at Freds Pass Reserve in Darwin.

I congratulate the Northern Territory Polocrosse Association, its clubs, its people and the Freds Pass Reserve Trust for the great facilities that have been provided at this venue and hope that these championships will be enjoyable and memorable for all those who have travelled from far and wide to see this great sport in action.

I gratefully acknowledge the sponsors and all those workers whose assistance has contributed to the successful staging of this great event.

The spectacle that we will witness over the next few days will be the very best that Australia can provide. Enjoy the fierce but fair competition, enjoy the superb horses and horsemanship and to the players, Good Luck over the next 5 days, these are your championships.

Peter Crauford

Welcome one and all to the Onesteel Metaland Australian Polocrosse Championships for 2002.

The year of 2002 is a special year to host these Championships being the “Year of the Outback”. To me the “Year of the Outback” is a wonderful way to recognise the pioneers of yesteryear who paved they way for the people of today who elect to carve a living from the harsh inland of this great vast country. Yet when we recognise the people where would they have been and where would they be if it weren’t for the wonderful animal our sport is based upon.

The HORSE in the early days was central to the people’s very living, A lot has changed since then but today the horse still plays a part in the lives of people in the outback. So it is fitting that we honour the Horse at these Championships.

Many of you have travelled many kilometres to witness or partake in the games and I am sure you will not be disappointed. At these Championships you will see in action the best horses the sport can offer, throw in great horsemanship and sportsmanship and you will see good hard fast Polocrosse action.

Off the field we have prepared a feast of entertainment over the 6 nights. Territorians are renowned for their love of a party, I’m sure you won’t leave disappointed.

At the opening ceremony we are attempting to present to you something different. We hope the other States that will host the Australian Championships in the future will strive to carry forward tradition and be innovative.

Thank you to Onesteel Metaland and all of our sponsors for your generosity and your support. To stage these games without you would be impossible.

To all of the Territorians that form this Association, thank you for your assistance, hard work and dedication, Polocrosse applauds you.

Andrew Blackadder