By applying employment factors, the economic activity has potential to create 37 full-time jobs for one year.  The figures were confirmed in the findings of an economic impact study published today by Dr Diana Beal, retired Associate Professor in Finance (USQ).  

Key findings of the research were outlined by World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser:

• More than 40 000 people entered Morgan Park for the Cup.
• Players from at least 11 countries watched the Cup. The Cup attracted the largest attendance at any polocrosse event so far in the world. 
• About 70% of Cup visitors travelled from outside the shire. Almost without exception, these were visits to Warwick especially for the World Cup.
• The number of non-local Australian visitors increased dramatically. The estimated number of non-local Australians was 3850 staying about 23,000 visitor nights. This represents an increase of about 40% for both visitors and visitor-nights.
• The number of local day visitors also increased spectacularly. The 4500 day visits of 2003 increased almost three-fold to 13,000 in 2007.
• More than 440 overseas visitors came to Warwick for the Cup for an average stay of 10 days. This compares very favourably with the estimate of 380 overseas players, officials and spectators in 2003.
• Of the survey respondents, 44% were male and 56% were female. The preponderance of women was evident among all three groups of visitors (local, non-local, overseas). In terms of age, 6% of respondents were less than 20 years of age, 22% were 20-34 years, 33% were 35-49 years and 39% were 50 years and over.
• The estimated expenditure by the visitors was approximately A$1.362 million. In addition to this estimated expenditure, the organisers collected almost $1 million in receipts, an increase of about 75% on the revenue collected in 2003.

Dr Diana Beal commented, “The economic value-added and activity generated by the Cup has an impact about equal to one month’s operations of the Warwick Shire Council. This is a great result for the region.”

Mr Fraser, a successful local businessman and lifelong polocrosse enthusiast who chaired the inaugural Polocrosse World Cup, confirmed that the 2003’s $1.4m in economic benefit to Warwick is dwarfed by this year’s results.  He paid tribute to his committee, to the army of volunteers and to sponsors who made the event possible.

Mr Fraser added, “In terms of growing our audience, we are greatly encouraged to see from the full report such a high proportion of visitors who are not horse owners, also that our foray into outdoor advertising proved effective in spreading the word.”

Warwick Shire Mayor Cr. Ron Bellingham said, “The findings confirm a tremendous result for the local economy both immediately and in the medium term.  For organisers to be able to attract an audience of this size to a regional centre is a great achievement. This type of result is both a great economic lift and a great morale booster for a rural area feeling the effects of prolonged drought.  Les Fraser and his team must be congratulated on this result.”

By applying employment factors, this economic activity has the potential to create 37 full-time jobs for one year (based on Queensland Treasury’s Type II multipliers). That result outshines the 2003 Cup result of 25 full-time jobs for one year.

In December 2005 Warwick fended off bids from interstate to secure the Cup and received support from the state government through Queensland Events Corporation as well as through the Warwick Shire Council.  A subsequent grant from Queensland Sport & Recreation assisted with additional infrastructure to Morgan Park, a facility recognised as the best polocrosse facility in the world.

While the Warwick Polocrosse Club will continue to stage major polocrosse competitions at Morgan Park, after staging two successful World Cup events, the UK has won the rights to host the 2011 world competition.

Research Partners: The survey questions were asked via a personal interview on-site at Morgan Park.  SQIT Warwick TAFE business studies unit provided a pool of interviewers who received training by Cozzi Marketing & PR. The interviewers randomly selected potential respondents and approached them to ask for their help and cooperation. Just over 900 responses were recorded and then electronically input by the staff at the Warwick Shire Council. Analysis was undertaken by Diana Beal, B Econ, B Com, M Phil, PhD. Retired Associated Professor in Finance, formerly at University of Southern Queensland.

Most of the entries came from students in grades four and five in the Warwick and Stanthorpe area, a number included drawings or photographs with their word processed narrative.

World Cup Treasurer and co-ordinator of the schools programme Mrs Robyn Fraser announced the results this week.

“The standard of entries was exceptionally high and we’ve awarded prizes in these four categories, with two of the winners coming from one school

• Most Comprehensive report – Rachel Bau, Year 4, St Joseph’s Primary School, Stanthorpe.
• Most Enthusiastic report - Zoe Mckavanagh, Year 5, Glennie Heights State School, Warwick.
• Best Picture story – Eli Lacey, Year 4, St Joseph’s Primary School, Stanthorpe.
• Best Presented story - Hayley Millard, Year 5, St Mary’s School, Warwick.

“In reading the reports, it’s obvious that the children really enjoyed their day out.  The older children in particular appreciated the fact that world class sporting events don’t come into their backyard very often. 

“For some it was the first time they had seen polocrosse played and they were thrilled by the action. I’d like to think we might have some possible recruits into junior Polocrosse!” Mrs Fraser added.

Mrs Fraser commended St Josephs for the quantity and quality of their entries. She said a similar effort in 2003 saw them win a story competition prize after the first Polocrosse World Cup. 

For the winners, their schools will receive commemorative resource for their library.  Glennie Heights and St Mary’s will each receive a high quality glossy book “Polocrosse: Australian Made, Internationally Played”.   Having won the book in the story competition in 2003, St Josephs School will this year receive a DVD of the World Cup Highlights.

Mrs Fraser thanked the school teachers for their enthusiasm in organising the excursion and for co-ordinating entries into the story competition.

POLOCROSSE WORLD CUP in Warwick, Qld
Day 6 – Final day of competition:

Game 1 Zimbabwe bt Ireland 21 – 11
Zimbabwe 21(Kirsten Dodd 8, Shannon Burbidge 13) bt Ireland 11(Tara Power 5, Seb Chambers 6)

Game 2 South Africa bt New Zealand 21:20
South Africa 21 (Dawnay Jacobs 9, Kelly Redford 1, Charl du Plessis 11) bt New Zealand 20 (Sue Gower 7, Tony Schrafft  13)

Game 3 WORLD CUP FINAL Australia 36 (Kylie Dowling 9, Jane Cooper 10, Troy Henry 12, Arron Clarke 3, Andrew Rose 2) bt United Kingdom 13 (Shelly King 7, Jason Burbidge 3, Guy Robertson 3)

 

Ranking	2003	2007
1	Australia	Australia
2	New Zealand	United Kingdom
3	South Africa	South Africa
4	Zimbabwe	New Zealand
5	USA	Zimbabwe
6	Ireland	Ireland
7	United Kingdom	USA
8	Canada	Canada

• Attached image credit line www.sportingimages.com.au  
• More images available from Sporting Images via FTP access free to media or see http://sportingimages.com.au/gallery/equestrian/  
• For more contact Michele Cozzi 0417 620571 or info@cozzi.com.au

However, organisers of this month’s Ridley Polocrosse World Cup have confirmed that Telstra Country Wide® has come up with the communications technology to ensure this year’s event will be the best ever.

The week-long international competition will be held at Morgan Park, a multi-purpose sporting complex eight kilometres east of Warwick on Queensland’s Southern Downs.  Previously, the rural 314 hectare facility has not had good mobile phone reception, wireless or ADSL broadband access. 

World Cup Chairman Les Fraser commented, “This World Cup has been two years in the planning and in partnership with Telstra Country Wide, we will provide unprecedented communications coverage to Morgan Park visitors and media this month.” 

Telstra Country Wide Area General Manager for South East Queensland, Mr Nigel Beaman confirmed that the company had made a number of improvements, including the provision of permanent and temporary infrastructure to the local area.  This includes the construction of permanent Next G™ network mobile base stations - Warwick west and Warwick south towers, installing remote exchange related equipment off the local Warwick exchange that allows ADSL technology and the installation of a temporary mobile repeater for in-building coverage in the main complex at Morgan Park.           

Mr Beaman said, “This partnership provides a tremendous opportunity to showcase our new $1.1billion Next G™ network at a world class event.  While Polocrosse is increasingly being played by urban Australians, it is a sport that has an emotional connection particularly with regional and rural people, who are of course an important audience for us.  The communications upgrades will not only benefit this year’s Ridley Polocrosse World Cup but importantly, the local community as well.”

“Our Next G™ network is the world’s fastest and Australia’s geographically largest third generation mobile network, providing coverage to around 98.8 per cent of the Australian population.  It offers regional and rural customers turbo-charged wireless access to the internet and a host of other new communication services like video calling.

“Experiencing the faster speeds, better coverage and new devices of Telstra's Next G™ network will help regional communities to see the benefits it can bring to their busy lifestyles,” Mr Beaman added.

Mr Fraser confirmed that the on-site Telstra Communications Centre would form the hub for distributing competition results to media and the public and its web-based audience.  “This is unprecedented for Polocrosse and reflects our commitment to promoting a world class event in regional Queensland,” Mr Fraser added.

A multi-media campaign gets underway this week to promote a sport increasingly referred to as “rugby on horseback”.  The target is Ipswich’s 145,000 residents who live ‘just down the road’ from the competition venue at Warwick.

Ipswich’s multicultural population is recognised as a good potential audience for the week-long international sporting competition which begins on Monday 23 April.

World Cup chairman Mr Les Fraser said, “As an amateur sport we have limited resources for our marketing so we’ve adopted the focused rather than scatter gun approach.

“Our two big catchment areas for the near drive market audience are Toowoomba and Ipswich. We’ve been working for some time on the Toowoomba region through our media partners but now its time to step up a gear and concentrate on neighbouring Ipswich,” Mr Fraser said.

Organisers recognise that with Willowbank on its doorstep, Ipswich residents have some experience of attending outdoor sporting competitions.  With a total of 20 international matches and dozens of club carnival matches over seven fields, plus a host of off-field entertainment.  Mr Fraser said it is very different sport entertainment to spending a couple of hours in a stadium and is also a more affordable family day out.

Mr Fraser confirmed that there are a number of active Polocrosse families in the area, a number of whom are supplying horses to the World Cup pool for visiting internationals or are working as volunteers for the prestigious event.

The Ipswich promotional campaign includes:

• Pre-event editorial and a reader ticket giveaway competition through The Queensland Times, reaching almost 30,000 readers.
• Radio advertising and ticket giveaway competition through River 94.9FM, creating a triangle of listeners from the Sunshine Coast, to Toowoomba to the Gold Coast
• Billboard advertising on the Ipswich Motorway at Goodna aimed at capturing well over 100,000 vehicles per day traveling on the western commuter corridor into Brisbane.

 “Focusing on Ipswich represents a new tactic for Polocrosse, which has traditionally marketed itself to horse enthusiasts. However they all know the Cup is on, what we have to do is to let sports enthusiasts know that this is happening and that it’s a great day out.  This will be the only chance to see a defending Australian team contest its world title on home soil in 2007,” Mr Fraser added.

The 25th April function forms a social highlight of next month’s Ridley Polocrosse World Cup on Queensland’s Southern Downs.

 Local hero and rugby league legend Shane Webcke will be joined by rugby union’s Chris “Buddha” Handy (right) as guest speakers for the breakfast function.  The pair of rugby heavy weights, both prop forwards in their respective codes, will join Polocrosse’s elite players from seven guest nations, plus defending champions Australia.

Commenting on the event, Ridley Polocrosse World Cup deputy chairman Mr Charlie Brook said “As still an amateur sport, Polocrosse can learn much from the development of other sports. Shane Webcke and Chris Handy are two Queenslanders who have made the world stage and their presentations will share some amusing and enlightening insights into the world of international professional sports.”

The breakfast will be held on world Cup rest day - Wednesday 25th April, beginning at 7.30am.  In addition to breakfasting with these rugby greats and all official world cup team members, one lucky ticket holder will win a Peppers Salt Resort & Spa prize for two.  Valued at A$636, the prize includes two nights’ accommodation and breakfast, plus a three course a la carte dinner on one evening.

 A limited number of tickets are available to breakfast with the two big men, plus the full line-up of Polocrosse internationals.  Tickets are $30 per person, available from Harvey World travel Warwick beginning Monday 16 April or at the Morgan Park clubhouse from Monday 23 April 2007.   

Eight nations will contest the Ridley Polocrosse World cup at Morgan Park, Warwick 23:29 April For full programme and ticket information see http://www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup 

Shane Webcke is a former Australian rugby league player, who spent his entire first grade career playing for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League competition.  Webcke also represented Queensland in the State of Origin on twenty-one separate occasions. He also made eighteen test appearances for the Australian national side, including being a member of the Australian world champion team that won the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. His position of choice is at Prop Forward. He enjoyed a fairy-tale finish as the Broncos won the 2006 NRL Grand final.

Chris “Buddha” Handy – Few names are more synonymous in the world of Rugby, than larger than life sporting icon, Chris "Buddha" Handy.  A former barrel-chested prop forward, 'Buddha' Handy created mayhem on world rugby fields with his uncompromising and rugged play. As a Wallaby he played in six internationals and joined a select band, twice lifting the Bledisloe Cup in victory against arch rivals, the All Blacks.  In constant demand as a guest speaker, both in the rugby and corporate world, Chris captivates audiences with his endless stories, sharp wit and unique style. Chris Handy’s presence is courtesy of event sponsor Castlemaine Perkins.

At eleven and a half thousand metres, official airline Qantas is carrying the Polocrosse World Cup message to 500,000 passengers.  The April edition of their in-flight magazine The Australian Way, will carry a feature story on the week-long competition at Morgan Park on Queensland’s Southern Downs. 

The week before competition begins the airline’s in-flight TV entertainment system will also carry a promotion of the event, firmly placing Warwick on the world stage.

Closer to ground level, Polocrosse is making its first foray into metropolitan billboard advertising in a bid to capture some of the Brisbane drive market.  Two premium sites have been selected to capture the traffic in the busy Ipswich to Milton western commuter corridor, providing access to well over 100,000 vehicles per day.

World Cup chairman Les Fraser said, “With professional advice from APN Outdoor, we have secured an inbound site on the Ipswich Motorway at Goodna and an outbound site on Milton Road, near the landmark Castlemaine Perkins factory.

“This is unprecedented for Polocrosse and reflects our commitment to promoting a world class event in regional Queensland,” Mr Fraser added.

Organisers report early bookings from a number of schools, bringing a total almost 1500 children to attend on either Monday 23 or Tuesday 24 April.

Heading the VIP line-up at Morgan Park will be His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd).  The Governor-General will open the Cup at 9am on Monday 23 April.

Cup Treasurer Mrs Robyn Fraser confirmed that that once the formalities are over, Ronald McDonald will be there to meet and greet children on the Monday.   It has been six years since the global icon visited the Southern Downs.  Otherwise known as the Chief Happiness Officer, Ronald will be joined by Hamburgler, the fun loving prankster who loves McDonalds’ hamburgers and cheeseburgers.

School children will each receive a sample bag provided by Queensland Sport & Recreation, which includes a number of “goodies” from various event sponsors.   Visiting schools will have the chance to see four international matches each day – for details see http://www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/results.htm.  The school days entertainment includes:

• Scots College Pipe Band
• Horseman from Susan River, Guy McLean
• Ben Vellacott,  Junior Poet
• Queensland Mounted Police
• Heavy Horse display

The partnership includes Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE’s (SQIT) Warwick Campus; The Warwick Shire Council, Cozzi Marketing & PR and Dr Diana Beal (retired), formerly Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Business, University of Southern Queensland.

 Visitors to the week-long competition will be surveyed, with the economic benefit to the region likely to exceed the $1.4m generated by the 2003 Polocrosse World Cup.

 World Cup treasurer Mrs Robyn Fraser said, “We appreciate the contribution of skill and resources that each of these research partners will make, enabling this study to be undertaken.  The survey will cover a range of questions including how visitors heard about the World Cup; how long they will stay in the Shire; their satisfaction with the facilities and where they spent their money.   This and other information will provide valuable information for Polocrosse, for the Shire Council and Queensland Events Corporation.” 

The research project has been broken down into the following components, with SQIT a newcomer to the partnership for 2007.  Key phases are:

1. Questionnaire design/training of data collectors - Cozzi Marketing & PR
2. Data collection – SQIT, Warwick TAFE students in business studies
3. Data input - Warwick Shire Council
4. Data analysis and report - Dr Diana J. Beal, retired. Formerly Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Business, University of Southern Queensland. 

Commenting on the role of Warwick TAFE students as the data collectors, Business Studies teacher Lesley Harrower said the students undertaking the project were studying Certificate III and IV in Business Administration. “They have been learning research skills as part of their training and have acquired the necessary competencies to assist with data collection during the event. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and it is exciting for them to be part of such a major sporting even, but gain real-life experience in the competencies that they are studying,” she said.

Prior to the survey being undertaken, students will receive specific training from Michele Cozzi to ensure that they are familiar with the survey form and possible responses. She confirmed the training will occur on 27th March at the Warwick Campus and she took the opportunity to thank Warwick TAFE co-ordinator Mrs Lesley Harrower for her enthusiasm for the project and in recruiting the data collectors. 

The visitor survey will be undertaken on-site at Morgan Park in the week of 23-29 April.  Data collectors will be visible in their TAFE caps and shirts.

The final report from Dr Beal will be handed to the World Cup organising committee prior to 30th June 2007, with the highlights published for the media. 

For more on the study see news_research.htm

The week-long competition will see Australia defend its world cup title against old rivals New Zealand, plus challengers from Canada, Ireland, South Africa, the UK, USA and Zimbabwe.  The World Cup final will be played on Sunday 29 April 2007 in what is expected to be a capacity crowd.

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia - His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) – is patron of the Polocrosse Association of Australia.

 World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser announced today that the Governor-General will officially the World Cup at a ceremony at 9am on Monday 23 April at Morgan Park, Warwick, on Queensland’s Southern Downs.

Mr Fraser said, “The presence of His Excellency will provide a magnificent start to this international competition.  It will be a real boost for regional South East Queensland and a draw card for people right across the region.  This will also be a particular treat for dozens of school groups who have registered to attend the opening day. For those reasons, and because he is our national Patron, we are absolutely delighted.” 

The week-long competition will see Australia defend its world cup title against old rivals New Zealand, plus challengers from Canada, Ireland, South Africa, the UK, USA and Zimbabwe.  The World Cup final will be played on Sunday 29 April 2007 in what is expected to be a capacity crowd.

Event organisers are offering free entry to registered school groups for the first two days of the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup at the end of April.

The week-long world titles will be held at Morgan Park on Queensland’s Southern Downs. This provides a unique opportunity for the region’s students to see one of only three sports invented in Australia and in which Australia is the current world champion.

Free entry to school groups on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 April is by registration only and applications close on Monday 19 March 2007.  The school days programme is sponsored by McDonalds Warwick who see education and sport as a healthy menu option.   McDonalds will help judge the story competition associated with the programme.

World Cup Treasurer Mrs Robyn Fraser said, “All registered groups will be provided with an escort during their visit to provide an introduction to the game.  The children will have a chance to meet some of the world cup competitors and their horses which Australia has provided.   On each of these days there are four international matches, plus a host of other entertainment and Queensland Sport & Recreation is kindly providing sample bags for the children. Based on the 2003 World Cup it is a great day out.”

The web-based initiative will pose a total of 11 brief questions which will be introduced progressively over a fifteen week period.  The questions include some to help organisers, such as where visitors will purchase tickets and what interest there is in official merchandise. It also includes the popular question at stable doors and bar rooms: who will make the final and which country will win the prestigious world cup.

Ridley Polocrosse World Cup Deputy Chairman Charlie Brook said that the on-line polling will be hosted through the event’s online promotional partner www.polocrosse.net from today (13 January).  It will also be accessible through a new “HAVE YOUR SAY” link on the official world cup website www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup.

 Mr Brook said this was another new frontier for Polocrosse, which is receiving increased profile ahead of the world cup which gets underway at Morgan Park, Warwick from April 23.

He added, ”Obviously we are encouraging those genuinely interested in the sport and the event to participate in these surveys.  We expect that the results of these polls will also be useful in our pre-event public relations and marketing.”

The French are coming to Warwick, and they are taking to the fields on horses loaned to them by the junior players of the Warwick Polocrosse Club.

That’s official.

 In fact the French are very welcome, says chairman of the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup, Mr Les Fraser.  Just 100 days from the start of competition on 23 April, Mr Fraser confirmed that the French ability to get a game of Polocrosse in Warwick is due to the generosity of the junior players.

 Mr Fraser said the French polocrosse contingent includes eight players plus four supporters who will be in Australia from 19 to 30 April, spending the majority of that time at Morgan Park in Warwick.

France is one of the newest Polocrosse playing nations but does not currently qualify to participate in the main World Cup competition. However they will field a team of eight players to participate in the Australian Equine Alliance Club Carnival which runs concurrently at Morgan Park. 

The carnival is held at Morgan Park, Warwick on the last three days of World Cup week.  The carnival is designed to provide additional on-field action in between international matches and is likely to draw up to 100 teams from around the country. See overview_carnival.htm

The French were first introduced to Polocrosse at the Henson Festival in 2004 by two UK-based former Zimbabweans: Jason and Hamish Burbidge.  Since the beginning of 2006 they seriously began to train, play and really enjoy the sport with their motivation to be in Australia for the 2007 Polocrosse World Cup.  See http://hensonpolocrosse.free.fr/Team%20spirit.html

Mr Fraser said they had received interest from other new Polocrosse playing nations to attend as spectators.  Amongst them are several European countries, but the Zambians appear to be the most enthusiastic about attending.  

The Warwick juniors who will be lending horses are aged 12-16. They include Harry Carew, Jack Carew, Samantha Cobon and twin Tom Cobon, Zoey Cobon, Dallas, Davidson, Myles Newcombe, Lachlan Osborne, Stephanie Paroz, Sam Turley, Alexandra Trzeciak and James Turley.  (High resolution photo available on request.)

Chairman of the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup, Mr Les Fraser confirmed that the Australian Equine Alliance Club Carnival had already received significant interest both nationally and internationally prior to nominations opening this week.

The Carnival will be held at Morgan Park in Warwick on Queensland Southern Downs on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 April 2007.

The concept of a concurrent Club Carnival was trialled in 2003 in Warwick in association with the inaugural Polocrosse World Cup that year. Its objectives were to provide on-site entertainment in between international world cup matches and to enable polocrosse enthusiasts to share history by being able to play on world cup turf.

It proved an outstanding success, attracting nominations from more than 60 Australian clubs. Building on that success, the 2007 carnival has been elevated to attract its own identity: The Australian Equine Alliance Club Carnival and is expected to draw attract almost 100 nominations.

Participation: Teams will play in Open, Mixed and Junior competitions under Australian Polocrosse Rules.  Matches played on six fields with night matches on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 April. Nominations fee is $30 per team and nominations close on Monday 26 March 2007.  For application forms and more information see overview_carnival.htm  

Mr Fraser said that while the competition was originally designed for domestic players, there had been strong expressions of interest from international players whose countries had not qualified to participate in the world cup.  France, Germany, the Netherlands and Zambia are amongst those keen to have a game, he said.

Mr Fraser added, “From a spectator’s perspective this will provide plenty of action and entertainment in between international matches on the last three days of Cup week. This will be fantastic for sports lovers who like to see a game that is full of speed, skill and action.”

Australian Equine Alliance (AEA) is a national membership-based organisation which amongst other benefits provides access to affordable and portable insurance for horse riders. It also offers a forum for education and information.  AEA Chairman Mr Laurie Watts said, “Our mission is to act as an advocate for the entire equine community in Australia and we are therefore proud to be associated with the World Cup.  This event will help develop our profile with equestrian enthusiasts from across the country.”

Queensland Southern Downs’-based family business, Action Graphics, has been awarded the contract to the international event for the supply of official merchandise.

The World Cup is expected to draw 40,000 visitors through the gates at Morgan Park, Warwick when the week-long competition begins on Monday 23 April.

Head of World Cup merchandise Mrs Robyn Fraser confirmed that the merchandise would feature the event logo’s corporate lime green and black, creating a striking range of souvenir items.

Items for sale to the public include scarves, ties, polo shirts, reversible vests, fleecy jackets, baseball caps, bucket caps, travel coffee mugs and the ever popular wetsuit can coolers.  Action Graphics is also producing a number of World Cup promotional items such as flags and vertical hanging banners.

Event organisers will take delivery of stock from early March. They are planning to preview the merchandise at Rose City Shopping Centre in Warwick, prior to the World Cup.

Mrs Fraser is the owner/operator of Classic Dimensions and has had 25 years experience in fashion retailing. 

Commenting on the appointment of Action Graphics, Mrs Fraser said "as a regionally-based event we need to work with local suppliers where possible - they tend to be more flexible and reliable and very competitive price-wise.  We would be aiming to give our local community priority as suppliers to this major event.  We worked with Action Graphics in 2003 and we are happy to do so again." 

In association with another specialist supplier, the World Cup will also be producing a highlights DVD for sale – more information on this will be announced prior to competition.

Action Graphics was established by John and Bev Ursem at Dalveen just south of Warwick in 1981 to provide typesetting services.  In 1983 they were joined by John’s brother Peter and his wife Gerda who helped to establish the screen printing and clothing manufacturing and then publishing titles such as the popular Travel Action magazine.  John Ursem said that the uniform and clothing part of their business continued to grow as they were a country business supplying country areas. 

McDonalds is the latest big brand to support the prestigious sporting event to be held 23:29 April 2007 at Morgan Park, Warwick, on Queensland’s Southern Downs.

World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser confirmed that they had specifically targeted McDonalds to sponsor the two free school children’s days at the start of the competition. See about_schools.htm

Mr Fraser said, “Obviously for a world-class event we wanted to partner with a market leader but one with a local commitment. For this part of the sponsorship programme we also wanted a brand that was a good fit for our school days. McDonalds met all those criteria and the fact that they have also been a leader in developing a range of healthy menu options, was a plus for sports people.” 

The deal focuses on the operations of McDonalds Warwick and neighbouring Stanthorpe. The timing of the World Cup promotion complements McDonald’s new Pasta Zoo product to be launched early in 2007.

McDonalds franchisee Mr Trevor Burton added, “We have a strong tradition of supporting community events and Polocrosse has particular appeal to us because it is such a strong family sport.  Through this sponsorship we will be able to help educate more school children about the heritage values of this sport, which is effectively Australian-made, and now internationally played.”

Event organisers recognise the power of McDonald’s promotions and advertising machine in the region to help spread the word about April’s World Cup. In return, organisers will be able to direct some of their expected 40,000 visitors to stop at McDonalds during their world cup visit.

The week-long international competition will be held at Morgan Park, Warwick on Queensland’s Southern Downs, beginning Monday 23 April 2007.  

In addition to six days of international matches between the world’s top eight polocrosse playing nations [see note 1], on offer will be:

• a range of off-field entertainment, attractions and social functions
• two free school days for registered school groups
• the concurrent three-day competition between almost 100 clubs in the Australian Equine Alliance Club Carnival. Although mostly Australian, strong interest to participate has been received from emerging nations such as France, The Netherlands, Norway, Germany and Zambia.

World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser said, “Some aspects of the daily programme are still work in progress as we secure entertainers and other attractions.  Our aim is to offer something for the die-hard polocrosse enthusiast as well for the increasing number of people who are new to the sport.  Although some minor details are yet to be confirmed, the daily programme just released is a pretty good guide of how the week will shape up.”

Mr Fraser confirmed that there would be several other polocrosse competitions in the region prior to the world cup. See calendar http://www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/overview_programme.htm

Warwick is home to one of the best equestrian sporting complexes in Australia and hosted the inaugural polocrosse world cup in 2003.  Plans are well underway for the second cup in April 2007 and this outdoor advertising is the latest tool to spread the word to sports lovers in southeast Queensland.

The advertising has been applied to the rear of Crisps Coaches which service the daily Warwick to Brisbane route on the busy New England Highway.  The 1.9m x 1m advertising strip will run for six months, November 2006 to April 2007.

This mobile outdoor promotion has been jointly supported by the Southern Downs Tourist Association (SDTA) and Crisps Coaches.   The SDTA has met the cost of production and Crisps has provided a concessionary rate on space hire, as part of its community relations programme.

SDTA marketing manager Louise Ratcliffe commented, “Holding a world cup in Warwick provides a short term boost in visitor numbers and spending; plus the benefit of awareness over the longer term.  However, promoting an international competition for an amateur sport in a regional location presents a number of challenges. There is all the expectation to stage a world class event, but not the financial resources of the professional sports. 

“Organisers of the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007 are to be applauded for their creativity in this application, plus their willingness to work closely with organisations such as ourselves and Crisps Coaches which both have a vested interest in sharing the event’s success.”

World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser added, “Despite the amateur status of Polocrosse on the field, Australia’s hosting of two world cups has seen great strides in professionalism in a number of areas including event management, sponsorship and marketing.  Working effectively with our media and promotional partners is critical to spreading the word to a growing new audience of sports lovers who are attracted to Polocrosse as a type of rugby on horseback.. “

The sport is actually called Polocrosse and it is one of only three sports invented in Australia (1938).

Not only did Australia invent the game, it is the current world champion – that is until the title is challenged in Queensland next April at the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup.

Polocrosse combines elements of polo, lacrosse and netball and is a team game of great speed, skill and action. This combination provides a great spectator sport in an atmosphere which is heightened by the thunder of galloping hooves because under each player is half a tonne of horse flesh. 

As an amateur sport, Polocrosse attracts whole families as it is determined to remain affordable. They must be on the right track, because participation in the sport grew at an enviable 18% in 2005 (source: Polocrosse Association of Australia).

Polocrosse players begin in sub-juniors from the age of seven and continue through their 40s when they first qualify for masters.  Many polocrosse clubs have two and three generations in one family still playing the game.  The most senior of the 300 plus players taking to the polocrosse masters fields at Carrara, will be a 79 year old from NSW. Also playing will be former Australian representative players Chris Franklin (Qld), Craig Cameron (Vic) and Neville Gilpin (NSW).

WHAT:	2006 Pan Pacific Masters Games – features Polocrosse competition in three divisions: Open 40 plus, Open 50 plus and Women 40 plus. Canteen and bar operate on site.  Breakfast daily from 6.30am, plus Friday night Reef and Beef dinner and entertainment.
WHERE:	Carrara Sports Grounds, Nerang Road & Alabaster Drive, Carrara Gold Coast, Queensland
WHEN:	Friday 3 November 8am-5pm Saturday 4 November 8am-12noon Sunday 5 November 8am-3pm (presentations to follow) Please note that if heat conditions warrant, competition will commence at 7am daily Admission is FREE
CONTACT:	World Cup Media: Michele Cozzi 07 4683 4181 or info@cozzi.com.au Polocrosse Masters: Christine Franklin 07 5544 1132 or Chris Franklin 0408 876164.

The Pan Pacific Masters has been held on the Gold Coast every two years since 1998, the Gold Coast Polocrosse Club has been hosting masters’ games since the beginning. See http://www.mastersgames.com.au/

Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007 Chairman, Mr Les Fraser said “Interest in masters is growing both domestically and internationally.  These players generally have a life-time of Polocrosse in their blood, and they have the bonus of time and money to travel great distances to participate in competitions.”

This year’s polocrosse masters will travel from every state in Australia, as well as from New Zealand for the competition, which will be conducted under the Polocrosse Association of Australia rules.   

The Pan Pacific Masters Games will be the last major polocrosse competition prior to next year’s Ridley Polocrosse World Cup, which is expecting 40,000 to pass through the gates at Warwick’s Morgan Park.

Polocrosse is Australian sports invention - an excellent fit for the Australian Outback Spectacular. This news follows the recent announcement of Qantas as the World Cup’s official airline.

Organisers of the 2007 world championships this week confirmed that Warner Village Theme Parks has secured exclusive supply rights in the theme park category for inclusion in travel packages on offer to thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas. 

Seven guest nations are confirmed to challenge Australia for the title at Morgan Park, Warwick on Queensland’s Southern Downs next April.  A number of other nations have submitted expressions of interest to participate outside the main competition.  The week long event will also incorporate the three-day Australian Equine Alliance Club Carnival, set to attract players from 100 teams. 

The polocrosse extravaganza will showcase the sporting ability of the Australian Stock Horse and is expected to draw 40,000 through the gates.

World cup ticket sales and visitor bookings will be handled by official tour operator Greg Ritchie Travel.  These travel packages will offer Warner Village Theme Parks Gold Coast properties, including Australian Outback Spectacular, presented by R.M.Williams. Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild Water World.

Australian Outback Spectacular, a Warner Village Theme Parks opened its $23 million show extravaganza filled with outback music, drama and actionin April 2006.  Australian Outback Spectacular’s comprises a one and a half hour dinner show set in a giant 1000 seat arena, features Australian the Australian Stock Horse, and showcases the courage and daring spirit of the outback and features the Australian Stock Horse.

Commenting on this latest sponsorship World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser said, “If world class equestrian entertainment is what visitors are after – they will be spoilt with the on-field competition in Warwick, and the theatre of the Australian Outback Spectacular.

“Aside from the commercial benefit to each partner, the real winners in this deal will be the visitors, and the profile of the Australian Stock Horse,” Mr Fraser added.

In December 2005 World Cup organisers appointed Greg Ritchie Travel as their official tour operator and last month they secured Qantas as the official airline. 

Months of research and negotiations have come to fruition with the unveiling this month of package tours for visitors from each of the key markets. These include Europe, North America, New Zealand as well as domestic Australian travellers.   Within days of the UK package going to market, the first bookings were received.

The packages include return airfares, accommodation, tickets and ground transfers to the World Cup competition 23:29 April 2007.  Optional extras feature operators which have supported the World Cup through the sponsorship programme.  These include Captain Cook Cruises, Peppers Retreats & Resorts and Warner Village Theme Parks.

In March this year, former cricket international Greg Ritchie confirmed that his travel firm would make a donation to event organisers for every traveller who books flights and accommodation through them. See http://gulliverssportstravel.com.au/polocrosse.php

World Cup Treasurer Mrs Robyn Fraser said: “As the host club previously we have handled accommodation bookings for the polocrosse community ourselves, but with an event of this scale that is impractical for us. There is a huge amount of detail in team and supporters travel arrangements and outsourcing to a specialist sports travel company was the practical solution.  We’d encourage visitors to use their one-stop-shop solution.”

Effective 1st October 2006, the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007’s official website www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup has formed an on-line partnership with one of the sport’s pioneers in on-line marketing: www.polocrosse.net

Befitting the sport which is one of only three invented in Australia, both sites are hosted in Australia, but each serve a growing international community of polocrosse enthusiasts and converts.

The partnership includes a number of reciprocal links; some shared content such as news, reference information and links; plus on-line polling.  Additional features will include an event countdown timer to be introduced onto both sites before the 100 day marker.

Polocrosse.net was established in 1998 as an independent resource for polocrosse news and contacts for the sport’s players and supporters around the globe.  Prior to this, website founder Craig Foot spent years driving his two polocrosse-playing daughters thousands of kilometres to carnivals, mostly across Queensland. 

As one of the sport’s earliest websites, www.polocrosse.net has developed a strong following and achieves good search engine results and traffic.  Earlier this year, it underwent a major structural and cosmetic re-vamp.  This - plus the site’s longevity and content - made it an ideal target when the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007 was looking for an on-line partner.

 Deputy Chair Mr Charlie Brook said, “Because of the nature of a website devoted to a quadrennial world championship, web traffic ebbs and flows.  In terms of pre-event marketing, it is important we maximise the opportunities to visit our website, which we believe this partnership will help achieve.”

The World Cup competition at Morgan Park, Warwick begins on 23 April 2007. The official website already lists international team names, a wealth of visitor information and reference content about the game.  Once international match play begins, www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup will carry real time results and a near real time photo gallery.  Mr Foot said that the currency of these items will be appreciated by polocrosse supporters worldwide.

Players from NSW and Western Australia dominated the final line-up, with hopefuls from Victoria and Queensland amongst the possible reserves to be named prior to 31 December 2006.

National Executive Officer Mrs Jane Cartwright said final selection went right to the wire this afternoon at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park near Sydney, site of the 2006 national polocrosse titles (3-8 October).

This week’s competition saw a squad of 18 players vie for a place in the national team of eight for next April’s prestigious competition.  Thousands packed the main field to hear national president Mr Peter Crauford announce the team after a nail-biting wait during the final 48 hours of competition, which concluded at 4.30 pm today, Sunday 8 October 2006.

The selectors’ job was said to be extremely difficult because of the breadth and depth of talent in the original squad.  The elite athletes who have impressed national selectors throughout the year and made the cut to play for Australia at Morgan Park in Warwick on Queensland’s southern downs include:

Aaron Clarke	NSW	Jane Cooper*	WA
Troy Henry*	NSW	Kylie Dowling	WA
Andrew Rose	NSW	Tanya Hollow**	NSW
Hayden Turnbull	NSW	Suzette Lyster	WA

   * = members of the 2003 victorious Australian team.  ** = 2003 Captain

[Brief biographical information on the individuals mentioned above is available on request.]

2003 team captain Tanya Hollow has been renamed to lead the national team. Vice captain is Troy Henry who held the position in the 2003 team.

Commenting on the team, national coach Ross Shepherd said the line-up included three players from the victorious 2003 World Cup, plus a lot of new, young talent.  He said, “The inclusion of all four men players from New South Wales reflects the fact that for almost 20 years they have dominated the men’s competition nationally.

“Amongst the four ladies selected for the team is 2003 Cup winning captain, Tanya Hollow from NSW as well as 2003 campaigner Jane Cooper from WA.  The Western Australians have been very strong in the ladies competition for about five years as shown in these selections,” Mr Shepherd added.

Mr Shepherd will be deputised by coaching veteran Noel Challis from Halliday’s Point in NSW, who assisted him in 2003. Team manager is Michael Jarmain from Albury, NSW who managed the Australian Mixed Team’s Irish tour in 2004.

Still in the line-up for the reserve positions are: Kristy Crook WA, Kylie Gotham NSW, Katie Grimmond WA, Elissa Koch NSW, Alison Mathie NSW, Annette Radford VIC, Gregory Davidge*, Stephen Davidge NSW, Robert Sibley NSW plus Cameron Shepherd from the world cup host club, Warwick, Qld.  

Meanwhile for Australia’s 2007 campaign the national body, the Polocrosse Association of Australia has established a high performance committee to assist in the broader aspects of the Australian team’s Cup preparation.  The committee includes

Jill Clarke	Braidwood, NSW	Current National Coaching Director
Peter Dowsley	Coleraine, VIC	Managed 2003 Australian team
Tanya Hollow	Gulgong, NSW	2003 Australian Team Captain and youngest member of the committee
Kent Wells	Coulson, QLD	2005 Australian Coach. 2003 & 2007 Chief Horse Selector

 Polocrosse Association of Australia President, Mr Peter Crauford said, “I am confident that from a very strong pool of talent, selectors have chosen the team they believe will deliver Australia’s best chance for retaining the cup. These players are highly skilled and hungry to defend the title.” Mr Crauford is also President of the International Polocrosse Council. 

Shepherd is the only Queenslander on the 18 member Australian squad from which just eight will make final selection for the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007.  He plays for the Warwick Polocrosse Club, which will host the 23-29 April international competition on Queensland’s southern downs.

An attack player for the Warwick Polocrosse Club, at the national titles in Camden NSW, the lanky thirty-four year old Queensland butcher will pull on the maroon jersey for Queensland. More than fifty teams will participate at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park between 3-8 October, in sub-junior to masters competitions.

Shepherd, a left hander who normally wears the number one jersey, has played for 22 years and represented Queensland.  All other male members of the squad come from NSW and the females come from Western Australia, NSW and Victoria.

The national selectors include Bev Hughes from Graman via Inverell, NSW; John Dawson from Beaufort, VIC; and Stewart Neal from Barcaldine, QLD.  They are looking for a combination of strong playing skills, riding skills, players who can work as a team and be good national ambassadors.

Commenting on the process, Bev Hughes said, “During 2006 we’ve watched these players at major competitions throughout Australia plus made two visits with them to New Zealand.  The NZ trips were particularly useful because we wanted to get the players out of their comfort zone by riding someone else’s horse – which is what they will have to do at the World Cup.

“Given the fact that polocrosse is still an amateur, family sport, we’ve been spoilt for choice with our squad. The standard is excellent, making our job hard; but that’s as we want it,” Mrs Hughes added.

 World Cup chairman Les Fraser said, “Selectors will obviously choose the team which they believe gives Australia the best chance of retaining the Cup.  But for a World Cup home crowd, having a Queenslander on the final team will be good for ticket sales, so we naturally hope that Shepherd makes the final cut.”

The world cup team will be announced at Camden on Sunday 8 October 2007.  A photograph and more biographical information on Cameron Shepherd are available on request.

Competition at