TWELVE Australian horseball representatives will have their last training run this weekend ahead of their trip to Portugal for the sport’s world cup in August.
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The two Australian teams are among five teams playing at the North West Horseball Carnival at Wee Waa this weekend.
The team, made up of players from Tamworth, Barraba, Gunnedah, Wee Waa, Limbri and Armidale, have been playing in their representative teams for the past two carnivals, with the senior team reaching the A-grade finals at both events.
Senior captain Chris Young, from Limbri, said the team had worked with Portuguese coach JJ Campeao, a former internationally-ranked player, to improve their set plays, passing and communication.
The team includes several players who have been in the sport for only two years.
Mr Campeao, a trackwork rider based at Mackay, has given the teams hands-on coaching with two training weekends at Moonbi and Attunga, but has also supported the group through Facebook.
He’ll join the teams in his home country for the world cup, held at Ponte de Lima.
“We’ve got a pretty new team, but we’ve all got different skills and JJ has helped us work to our individual strengths to improve as a team,” Mr Young said.
“We’re all looking forward to getting over there and competing, but then also bringing back what we’ve learnt to improve the sport in Australia.”
The Australian Horseball Association has about 50 members, playing mostly in the New England and North West.
“We’re looking to build our membership and the more people who go overseas for horseball to learn about how it’s run over there, the better it’ll be for the sport in Australia,” Mr Young said.
The North West Horseball Carnival is on June 25 and 26 at the Wee Waa showground.
To become a member, email horseballaustralia@gmail.com