Outstanding sportsmanship and a strong sense of community made for an unforgettable weekend of polocrosse in SJ.
The Serpentine Foothills Polocrosse Club played host to an exciting international junior polocrosse test series over the weekend, welcoming Australia’s finest Under-16 players to take on the Barbarians, a talented international side featuring young players from the United Kingdom, Zambia and the USA.
The three-match series delivered everything spectators could hope for, fast-paced action, exceptional horsemanship, fierce competition and outstanding sportsmanship.
The Australian juniors opened the series with a convincing victory on Friday evening, before the Barbarians fought back in Saturday night’s thrilling encounter, securing a narrow two-goal win.
With the series hanging in the balance, Sunday’s deciding test provided a fitting finale to an extraordinary weekend, with Australia emerging victorious overall and claiming the series honours.
Lacey Thomas was highlighted as a standout participant, who was awarded Overall Best Ladies Player of the international test series.
Competing alongside some of the finest young polocrosse players from across Australia and around the world, Lacey’s outstanding performance was a proud moment for Western Australian polocrosse and a wonderful example of the talent being developed within the sport.
Barbarians coach Jane Marriott praised the spirit of the competition and the opportunities international polocrosse provides for young athletes.
“What makes these international test matches so special is not just the standard of polocrosse, but the friendships, respect and lifelong connections these young players develop,” Ms Marriott said.
“They arrive representing different countries, but they leave with friendships that will last a lifetime. The hospitality and sportsmanship shown here at Serpentine Foothills club have been exceptional.”
Polocrosse is an Australian-originated sport, combining the speed and skill of horse riding with the teamwork and strategy of a ball sport.
It originated in 1939 as a team equestrian sport combining elements of polo, lacrosse and netball, leading to a fascinating new creation that has developed a following beyond its country of origin.
In the game, each team consists of six players split into two alternating three-player sections, called chukkas, that take turns on the field.
Each section has three positions. Attack, which tries to score goals by throwing the sponge-rubber ball through the opposing team’s goalposts, Midfield/Centre, which plays both offence and defence and is the only player allowed to go across the entire field and Defence, which defends the goal area against the first position.
Players use a cane or fiberglass stick with a racquet head and a loose net to catch, carry, bounce, and pass the ball.
A match features between 4 and 8 chukkas, with each lasting about 6 to 8 minutes.
Often described as the ultimate family horse sport, polocrosse is unique in its ability to bring generations together, with parents and children frequently competing alongside one another.
The weekend was indeed a wonderful demonstration of family spirit, with local families, visiting international players and supporters coming together to celebrate their shared love of horses and competition.
The tournament also provided an opportunity to showcase polocrosse to the wider Serpentine and surrounding communities, with spectators enjoying free entry and the chance to witness international-level horse sport right on their doorstep.
With Australia claiming the series victory, international friendships forged and local WA talent shining brightly, the weekend was a wonderful reminder of what makes polocrosse such a special sport.
For the Serpentine community, it was more than an international sporting event. It was a celebration of horses, families, friendship and the extraordinary community spirit that keeps the sport alive.
