Duo clocks up 23 nationals
WARWICK polocrosse couple Paul and Sally McGrath will clock up 23 nationals between them when they line up for Queensland in the Warwick Barastoc Nationals on April 23-29 at Morgan Park.
The nationals are held every second year.
Both have played Test polocrosse for Australia. Sally played her first nationals at Darwin in 1988 while Paul debuted at the 1990 nationals at Launceston.
Sally missed 2008 in Perth through injury and Paul missed selection for the Darwin nationals in 2002.
"Missing 2002 made me more determined," Paul said.
Their oldest daughter Jordan, 13, went to the state junior trials this year and her father is quietly confident she will press hard for selection for 2014 in Darwin.
Last time Paul played in the nationals in Warwick in 1998, he was part of a winning men's team.
"We have a good team of players and horses and hopefully will give it a shake next year," he said.
Officials include open men's coach Matt Gleeson and manager Mick Beresford from Warwick. Clifton player Jody Hall and her father George Cameron, and Warwick player Mark O'Leary are also state coaches.
Reserves: Daniel Cooper, Melissa Kerr, Rebecca Webb, Sarah Gilbert (Cunningham), John Cooper (Warwick) and Brad Hall (Clifton).
State Reps
Senior men: Paul McGrath, Colten Preston, Cameron Shepherd, Russell Owen.
Senior women: Trish Barlow, Katie Jolly, Stephanie Thorsby, Abigail Vaughan (all Warwick).
Senior mixed: Sally McGrath, Kent Wells (Warwick).
Challenge Cup: Warwick Fraser, Matt Shepherd (Warwick).
Masters men: Bill Kerr, Paul O'Leary, Roly Slack-Smith (Warwick).
Under-24 women: Katie Barr, Jess Osborne (Warwick), Ella Waugh, Ryle Waugh (Cunningham).
Under-21 men: Chris Hall (Clifton)
Under-21 open: Tom Cobon.
Junior open: Jacob Lawrence (Warwick), Zac O'Leary (Cunningham).
Junior mixed - Carly Cooper, Bryce Lamb, Anthony O'Leary (Cunningham).