When Harry Kirk was selected to play in the NSW Junior mixed Polocrosse team, parents Stacey and Michael had a lot of planning to do to get him and his horse there. Fortunately they were able to join together with other members of Stacey’s extended family for the trip across the continent to Brigadoon in Western Australia where the titles were to take place. The trip took a week, travelling daily distances of between 400km and 600km. They usually stopped at around 2pm each day, in time to work and look after the horses, which meant many stops along the way.
Joining them were Roger and Louise Grills and Charlie, Sarah, Lucy and Jim Grills from Albury. Harry’s cousins Lucy, Jim and Abbott were also representing different teams at the championships – a real family affair.
They arrived at Brigadoon , an hour from Perth, on Tuesday October 7 and had a few days to settle in before competition commenced on Monday October 13. In the first game they came up against the Northern Territory and, with Harry as captain, won convincingly by 10 goals.
In the second game they had a closer win by two goals after the team was changed around by coach Christine Brooker and they were not at their strongest. The next game against Queensland cemented their place in the lead with another easy victory by 10 goals.
This meant they were through to the grand final against Victoria and they came away with a victory 22 goals to 11, and a national title.
Harry, a member of the Guyra Polocrosse Club, was the only New England Representative, joining players from the North Coast, Hunter Valley, Oberon, Dubbo and Narrabri.
Former Guyra player Abbott Grills played in the Men’s Open Side (one of the best 7 players in the state) which was also victorious. Overall NSW won 6 out of the 9 finals.
“I am proud to have captained my side and bring home the ultimate prize,” said Harry. “Even though it was a long way to travel the experience was excellent.”
“This is a very big and beautiful country, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to see it,” he concluded.
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