Polocrosse team win NZ junior title
After 31 years the Northland Polocrosse team has reclaimed the New Zealand junior title.
The team - which includes Daniel Morgan, Kyla Zielinski and siblings Kayla and Ty Murray from Kaikohe - came away as victors from the New Zealand junior and intermediates tournament held in Otorohanga in January.
They triumphed over teams from Waikato, Central Plateau, King Country and Auckland.
The Northland intermediate team placed third in their division.
It was a special moment for the Zielinski family, with father Craig part of the Northland team which last held the NZ junior title 31 years ago.
Craig who is the junior development manager for the Kaikohe Polocrosse Club says they are extremely proud of the youngsters.
Following their big win, the four youngsters were all named in the New Zealand team which will compete in Australia in April.
‘‘We are extremely proud - we know what sort of an achievement it is for them.
‘‘It’s not easy making that New Zealand team, it’s a lot of preparation and work and finances that go into it,’’ Craig says.
‘‘It’s quite an achievement to make the New Zealand team on any level - you don’t just walk out and buy a horse and make the New Zealand team.
‘‘It is hours and hours of preparation.’’
The Zielinski’s breed their own horses for the job.
Craig says the best polocrosse equines have speed, agility and stamina.
Ty, 13, was also awarded the most outstanding New Zealand junior while sister Kayla, 14, was awarded Best Horse and Rider combination. The team compete up to two horses each - with the training done themselves.
Polocrosse is lacrosse played on horseback in a team of three - one person shoots between two poles, another acts as a midfielder while another defends.
Kaikohe Polocrosse Club Secretary Wendy Zielinski says it is six minutes of ducking and diving and avoiding getting tracked by the opposition.
The teams play three sixminutes ‘chukka’ and rest their horses in between.
Horse and rider combinations train with the Kaikohe club three times a week, while the other days are used to keep their horses fit.