ONE of Muswellbrook's premier events has rolled around for another year, with the annual Mach Energy Polocrosse Carnival set for the coming weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Having been going for more than six decades now, the competition is one of the town's most traditional sporting occasions and is still going strong despite the relatively small size of the local club.
The fact it continues to draw competitors in from all across the state, such as sides from Tamworth, the Central Coast and Gulgong, is a credit to the calibre of the tournament and the Muswellbrook Polocrosse Club (MPC) itself.
Approximately 30 teams are expected in 2019, with junior tournaments for under-12s and under-16s also being part of the weekend's line-up.
And, to add to its gravitas this year, it is being held just a week after the World Cup, which was won by Australia.
MPC president Colin Parkinson revealed the club actually had a personal involvement with that victory, as prized gelding Rosebrook Gallant was part of the winning side.
While he was excited about that, he has a lot more anticipation built up for the weekend - and is hopeful the sport continues to grow in the area.
"It's very important, we've had a carnival every year for all these years so it's pretty important to keep it going," he said.
"The main thing I love about it is that it's a family sport.
"You can get people who are in their 70s still playing polocrosse and sometimes they've got their grandchildren playing with them too, so it's a very sociable thing."
It will be hosted at Rosebrook on Wybong Road over Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 8.30 am, with the finals taking place on the second day.
Parkinson urges people to get along and take in the spectacle.
"The public is all good to come out and have a look," he said.
"Probably, the best time is on Sunday afternoon when the finals are on, so you've got the best teams who have made the finals."
The community is encouraged to come and witness one of the oldest and proudest carnivals in Muswellbrook, and get a better idea about the sport for those who haven't seen much polocrosse in the past.