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The Inaugural meeting of the Braidwood Polocrosse Club was held on 26th May 1956 at the Literary Institute in Braidwood. The convener was James Clarke.
Mrs. Musgrave of the local paper ’The Dispatch’ was present, as were Mr. Ron Morgan, L. Backhouse, Reece Clarke, Eric Clarke, A. Bopping, B. Hart, P. Bopping, D. Backhouse, E. Tull, D. Chapman, R. Cooper and N. Mackey.
The first patron was Mr. R J Hassall, President Mr. David Chapman, Vice President Noel Mackey and the Secretary Helen Doherty( Bopping) and Treasurer Eddie Tull.
Membership was set at £2/2 per annum.
The committee planned to peg out a field and purchase 4 racquets and 4 balls and hold a practice on the racecourse on the 9th and 10th June 1956.
Several meetings later the committee suggested that they hold the Opening Day of the Braidwood Polocrosse Club on 17th June and an invitation was sent to Moruya and Bungendore.
So began the Braidwood Polocrosse Club.
The Club prospered with several members becoming very proficient. Members such a Jean Morgan and Eddie Tull were exceptional. However during the late 1960’s numbers dropped and the Club was put into abeyance and it was not until 1974 that again the Club was reformed.
The elected President was Glenn McMillan and Sybil Jackson was secretary.
Many present day residents of Braidwood played during this time. Richard Clarke, Ian Laurie, Terry Laurie, Karen Laurie (Jackson) Stan Thistleton, Brian Callan, Brian Prothero, Don Collet, Robert Laurie, Rosheen O’Brien, Glenda Laurie( Burke), Michelle Bartley, James Clarke and James O’Brien.
Other players who now live away from Braidwood include Anne Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Keith Gowen and Lee Gowen, Kathie Whitfield, Fiona Whittaker, Jack Flynn and Neville Shoemark.
Some other local names include, Lisa and Bob Boatwright, Renee Bunn, Steve Black, Gary and Mark Gowen, Jill and Lisa Barlow, Jackie McMillan, Rodney Clarke, Kay Daniel, Dennis Callan, Dale Laurie, Gayle Laurie and Fiona Jackson.
During the late 1970’s and up until 1989 the Braidwood Polocrosse Club prospered with many juniors from around the district beginning their playing careers with Braidwood. During a recess after 1989 Rosheen O’Brien kept the books open and consequently the Club awarded her Life Membership in 2002.
After 11 years the Club formed again in 2000. New and innovative policy and ideas ensured the Club was seen as an innovator under the guidance of Richard and Jill Clarke , Paul Sharman and Melanie Cochrane. A sound sponsorship base from Michael and Jill Griffin and other local businesses ensured that the members had the opportunity to travel and compete.
A Braidwood Under 21 team travelled to New Zealand in 2002 successfully winning the competition and having a fantastic time. The Tinui Club members certainly welcomed the Braidwood team into their fold. Other Club trips such as Coffs Harbour and to other Zones enabled players to experience top level competition which reinforced the skills of the junior and adult members of the Club.
Personal highlights such as Tom and Aaron Clarke’s Australian representation at the highest level of Polocrosse has been a proud time for the Braidwood Club.
Mrs. Musgrave of the local paper ’The Dispatch’ was present, as were Mr. Ron Morgan, L. Backhouse, Reece Clarke, Eric Clarke, A. Bopping, B. Hart, P. Bopping, D. Backhouse, E. Tull, D. Chapman, R. Cooper and N. Mackey.
The first patron was Mr. R J Hassall, President Mr. David Chapman, Vice President Noel Mackey and the Secretary Helen Doherty( Bopping) and Treasurer Eddie Tull.
Membership was set at £2/2 per annum.
The committee planned to peg out a field and purchase 4 racquets and 4 balls and hold a practice on the racecourse on the 9th and 10th June 1956.
Several meetings later the committee suggested that they hold the Opening Day of the Braidwood Polocrosse Club on 17th June and an invitation was sent to Moruya and Bungendore.
So began the Braidwood Polocrosse Club.
The Club prospered with several members becoming very proficient. Members such a Jean Morgan and Eddie Tull were exceptional. However during the late 1960’s numbers dropped and the Club was put into abeyance and it was not until 1974 that again the Club was reformed.
The elected President was Glenn McMillan and Sybil Jackson was secretary.
Many present day residents of Braidwood played during this time. Richard Clarke, Ian Laurie, Terry Laurie, Karen Laurie (Jackson) Stan Thistleton, Brian Callan, Brian Prothero, Don Collet, Robert Laurie, Rosheen O’Brien, Glenda Laurie( Burke), Michelle Bartley, James Clarke and James O’Brien.
Other players who now live away from Braidwood include Anne Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Keith Gowen and Lee Gowen, Kathie Whitfield, Fiona Whittaker, Jack Flynn and Neville Shoemark.
Some other local names include, Lisa and Bob Boatwright, Renee Bunn, Steve Black, Gary and Mark Gowen, Jill and Lisa Barlow, Jackie McMillan, Rodney Clarke, Kay Daniel, Dennis Callan, Dale Laurie, Gayle Laurie and Fiona Jackson.
During the late 1970’s and up until 1989 the Braidwood Polocrosse Club prospered with many juniors from around the district beginning their playing careers with Braidwood. During a recess after 1989 Rosheen O’Brien kept the books open and consequently the Club awarded her Life Membership in 2002.
After 11 years the Club formed again in 2000. New and innovative policy and ideas ensured the Club was seen as an innovator under the guidance of Richard and Jill Clarke , Paul Sharman and Melanie Cochrane. A sound sponsorship base from Michael and Jill Griffin and other local businesses ensured that the members had the opportunity to travel and compete.
A Braidwood Under 21 team travelled to New Zealand in 2002 successfully winning the competition and having a fantastic time. The Tinui Club members certainly welcomed the Braidwood team into their fold. Other Club trips such as Coffs Harbour and to other Zones enabled players to experience top level competition which reinforced the skills of the junior and adult members of the Club.
Personal highlights such as Tom and Aaron Clarke’s Australian representation at the highest level of Polocrosse has been a proud time for the Braidwood Club.
