On Saturday, 31 August 2024, the Northern Territory Polocrosse Association (NTPA) proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary at Freds Pass Reserve. The event brought together past and present players, families, and supporters to mark five decades of growth, challenges, and achievements in the sport that has become a cherished part of the Territory’s rural life.
Polocrosse in the Territory: A humble beginning
Polocrosse in the Northern Territory began in 1974 when Darwin had a population of just 14,000, and much of the surrounding areas like Coolalinga, Howard Springs, and Humpty Doo were still largely scrubland. Life in the Territory was tough, with pioneering families working hard to build a future in the region. Les Edwards, a passionate horseman who had played polocrosse in Western Australia, led the charge to bring the sport to the NT. His vision came to fruition on 6 October 1974, when the first official meeting was held with 17 attendees, resulting in the formation of the Darwin and Regional Polocrosse Association, which became the Northern Territory Polocrosse Association in 1975.
L – R: Terry Dowling, Bob Connolly, Dickie Edwards, Les Edwards, Bluey Gardner. Image courtesy of Trevor Melville.
Those early days were marked by simplicity and resourcefulness. Most players rode stock horses or thoroughbreds, learning the game from others who had played before. Racquets were made of cane and cost just $9, while club fees were minimal—a $1 establishment fee per player, a $5 annual playing fee, and 50 cents for each day of play. Helmets were rare, with Peter Hassall notably owning the only pith helmet, though it was seldom worn.
Growth and development
Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin in December 1974, but remarkably, the polocrosse community continued to thrive. In the aftermath of the storm, 40 people from several of the founding families, including the Hassalls and Walkers, sheltered at Noonamah Farm, continuing to work with their horses even as they rebuilt their lives.
Promotion of polocrosse in the NT was often informal, spread through word of mouth among equestrian circles and station communities. One of the more creative promotional efforts came when Les Edwards arranged for an advertisement to be displayed at the Nightcliff drive-in, inviting interested players to Circle T, the Territory’s first polocrosse field, offered by Ray Townsend on his property, now the industrial area of Pinelands.
By 1977, the sport had grown significantly, and four original clubs were established: Noonamah, Zodiacs, Rum Jungle, and Howard Springs. These clubs were soon offered land at Freds Pass Reserve by the Territory government, where the hard work of clearing scrub and developing fields began. The contributions of machinery, labour, and time by founding families like the Henrys and Walkers were crucial in turning the land into suitable playing fields.
A legacy of success
The NT Polocrosse Association continued to expand, and by the 1980s, additional clubs, including Palmerston and Litchfield were formed, while others including Katherine and Alice Springs came and went. Freds Pass Reserve remained the heart of NT polocrosse, and by 1988, it had developed into a venue capable of hosting the Polocrosse National Championships. The event was a resounding success, and Freds Pass would go on to host
L – R Peter Hassall, Barry Walshe and Darren Hassall.
Image courtesy of Mary Walshe
The 50th anniversary celebration
The 50th anniversary celebration at Freds Pass was a fitting tribute to the pioneering spirit and dedication that has defined Northern Territory polocrosse. The day featured exhibition matches from the five established clubs—Noonamah, Howard Springs, Humpty Doo, Palmerston, and Litchfield—and displays of memorabilia and historical photos. Attendees enjoyed reminiscing about the early days of stock horses, cane racquets, and makeshift playing fields, while also celebrating the modern sport that has evolved over the decades.
Speeches were made to honour the founding families and volunteers who had worked tirelessly to build and sustain the sport. Many of these families are still involved in the sport today, continuing a proud legacy. As the celebrations drew to a close, there was a shared sense of pride in how far the sport had come and excitement for its future.
The 50th-anniversary event marked not just a milestone in the history of NT polocrosse but also a recommitment to the values of community, hard work, and passion that have always been at the heart of the sport in the Northern Territory.