After competing in the 2018 Australian National Polocrosse Championships held at the State Equestrian Centre from October 1-7; South Midlands Polocrosse Club member Suzette Thomas, and brother-in-law BJ Thomas, have now been named in the eight-person Australian World Cup Polocrosse team that will represent the country in 2019 in Warwick Queensland.
The National Championships provided the final opportunity for players to perform for selectors and claim their spot on the Australian World Cup team. Suzette played in the WA Women’s team with her three sisters, which was a first at national level.
“Playing with my sisters at the Nationals was a massive career highlight for me. We all know how the other one ticks, and have a good sense of where each of us will be on the field, given we have trained together from a very young age,” said Suzette.
“After Nationals, my aim was to gain a position on the 2019 team and bring the cup back to Australia. This year’s squad is exciting, with some seasoned representative players as well as young up-and-coming players. At 34, I am the ‘veteran’ of the team, so am working really hard to keep up with the younger ones,” she said.
Suzette’s brother-in-law and fellow World Cup team member, BJ Thomas, played on the WA Men’s team at the Nationals.
“The Nationals is a family affair for us, with Suzette, her sisters and my wife, Marijke, playing in the women’s team, my brother and I playing in the Men’s team, and my son playing in the Under 12s,” BJ said.
“I have been using our season competition to refine my skills and keep my fitness up in preparation for the World Cup, and the Nationals provided another opportunity to perform at my best. It’s been over 10 years since Australia had the cup at home, and it’s every polocrosse kid’s dream to play in the World Cup team. Being part of the squad is a great opportunity for me to fulfil that dream,” he said.
The 2019 Adina Polocrosse World Cup will be the largest international sporting event ever to be held in rural Australia, attracting 60,000 people including 2,000 international visitors and players from eight countries – Australia, South Africa, USA, UK, NZ, Ireland, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Photo thanks to Justine Rowe
