There aren't many sports out there that offer families the opportunity to compete together, but fortunately for the Mudgee region, polocrosse does.
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This weekend the Gulgong Polocrosse Club will be hosting their inaugural family competition alongside their annual carnival.
It all started in 1980 when the club was formed and since then, has only ever not gone ahead of few occasions due to weather conditions.
Gulgong Polocrosse Club vice president, Tanya Mulligan says because last year's event didn't go ahead due to the drought, the club felt the need to ensure this year was different.
"Last year we didn't actually run due to the drought but we just felt we needed to do everything we could to keep going this year," she said.
"It's just such a great event for people to get together, share stories and try to put aside the hardships of the season for the weekend."
Giving the players an opportunity to have a family competition, Tanya says came naturally due to the nature of the sport.
"Polocrosse is by nature, a family sport," she said.
"We decided to initiate the family competition because we believe it is one of the great assets of our sport - that families can compete together.
We thought it would be nice for families to be able to come together, even when they may no longer be members of the same club, and compete.
- Gulgong Polocrosse Club vice president, Tanya Mulligan
While the competition is expected to be the perfect combination of fun and fierceness, there will be rules modified to accommodate for younger players.
"We are expecting the competition to be tough enough, but there will be plenty of laughs to be had as well," Tanya said.
"We will be enforcing some special modified rules to ensure the kids get a fair go, such as no one to be allowed to force possession of the ball from an under 12 player."
Mulligan says one family in particular are expected to stand out, and they certainly have the qualifications to do so.
"The Andersons will be the red hot favourites," she said.
"All adult members of their team have represented NSW, and Chris has played for Australia. This year Arch Anderson coached the Australian team to World Cup victory, so they have all the qualifications.
"But, they are really in it to spend quality family time together also as they now compete for different clubs on a weekly basis."
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With 20 teams expected to play at the carnival in various grades, Mulligan, whose family were founding members of the club, says she hopes the family competition and carnival continues to keep the sport thriving in the region.
I hope that when my children get a little bit older there will be opportunities like this for us.
"It is nearing the end of the season and the dry weather has affected numbers. Still, we are hoping to have a great weekend and welcome anyone who would like to come and watch."
Entry to the event is free for spectators with canteen facilities available.
Games will commence at 8:30am on both August 31 and September 1 at the polocrosse grounds on Barney's Reef road.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
