Gulgong Polocrosse Club’s annual Family Fun Carnival is the epitome of how clubs across Australia are building polocrosse participation from grass roots up.
Family ties and fast plays took centre stage at Dunedoo in central west New South Wales over the final weekend in August, as polocrosse players of all ages saddled up and headed onto the field for some friendly, yet feisty competition.
From seasoned riders to young and old newbies, 26 family teams converged from across the state to compete, cheer and share the kind of moments that make polocrosse unforgettable.
What started in 2019 with just eight teams the Family Fun Carnival initiative has grown into a beloved annual fixture on the state’s polocrosse calendar. This year’s event also featured 11 traditional competition club teams and a lively ‘super subbies’ category, proving that when it comes to polocrosse, age is just a number and family is everything.
While every family who participated in the weekend brought their own flavour of fun, few did it quite like the Tunnicliffs.
Usually spotted in Muswellbrook’s green shirts, sisters Chloe (16) and Sophie (14) swapped out their club colours for the weekend to team up with their grandmother, Jill (82), while their dad, Ben, watched proudly (and a little anxiously) from the sidelines.
There’s nothing like watching a grown man quietly beg his 82-year-old mother to ease up on the throttle as she tears down the field, on one of his prized A-grade polocrosse ponies, like it’s the finals at Nationals. A request Jill gleefully ignored.
Photo courtesy of Grace Johnson
For Jill, this year’s carnival offered an unforgettable opportunity to create precious memories with her granddaughters.
“When I first participated in the Family Fun Carnival during 2023 it was three generations of Tunnicliffs — one of the girls, their father and me,” Jill recalled. “It means absolutely everything to play alongside the two girls and Ben.”
It wasn’t just Jill who enjoyed playing alongside her family — granddaughters Sophie and Chloe enjoyed the experience too — even if it was stressful for dad, Ben, holding his breath on the sidelines.
“It’s really special to be able to play with Nan,” Sophie said. “Oh, and Dad and Chloe too. “I find being able to be a bit competitive as a family team a lot of fun.”
Jill admitted age is no barrier to a bit of light competition. A genetic trait passed down through generations of the Tunnicliff family.
“I think it’s a bit of a family streak, we get competitive when we get out there on the field,” Jill said.
Grass roots growth
For carnival organiser Tanya Mulligan, the Family Fun Carnival represents a vital opportunity to grow participation in polocrosse from the ground up.
“The level of grass roots participation has been remarkable,” Tanya said. “We’ve seen people return to the sport after years away, and many who are trying polocrosse for the very first time.
“None of this would be possible without the support of Polocrosse Australia and NSWPA.”
Photos courtesy of Grace Johnson
For Polocrosse Australia’s President, Mick Templeton, the Gulgong initiative is a prime example of what the Polocrosse Play Well Plan is all about.
“Through the Plan we want to support clubs to develop, test and refine locally relevant initiatives that will build connections with potential participants at a local community level,” he said.
“We are encouraging grass roots responsibility for creating tailored solutions that meet the needs of the communities in which polocrosse is played.”
For more information about the Polocrosse Australia Play Well Plan 2025–2026 visit the Polocrosse Australia Participation page.