Umpiring: To clarify the situation with junior (under 18's) umpires. If your team has a junior umpire capable of umpiring senior matches, fantastic, this is strongly encouraged. To ensure their confidence continues to build, they should have a senior player, badged umpire or member of the executive available to refer to if needed. This senior person does not have to be with them on the field. Areas where assistance may be required - rule clarification, control of player behaviour. Not many junior umpires have the necessary confidence to approach a senior team captain or problem player if problems arise. The off-field adult is expected to assist the junior umpire if needed. However, any umpire should expect assistance to come from their other umpire first. Make sure you are communicating any concerns you may have with each other. You can use a break in play to do this, or stop play if needed (this applies to all umpires!) Each team should ensure their junior umpire or inexperienced older umpire has an adult "buddy"

available. Anthony Clarke and Anne Brown, both experienced badged umpires, have indicated they are happy to coach junior umpires. The executive are also available for support as a last resort. But all these people need advance notice of help being needed. Five minutes before you run out to umpire doesn't help anyone. Wherever possible, umpires will be allocated to balance the experienced/badged with the inexperienced/young but this is not always an exact science. Teams are expected to look after their umpiring duties with respect to their own umpires' capabilities and the game they've been allocated. Team captains- no matter how bad you may think the umpiring is (and I think this is pretty rare), you must act appropriately and ensure your players have respect for everyone out there - especially the umpires and the difficult role they are undertaking.

Thank you's: A big thanks to all association helpers for a successful start to the season:

Under 11's coaches: Elka Johnstone (Railway Hotel), Maxine Sandford and Melissa Gourlay (both Townhouse Hotel), Andrew White (LJ Hookers) Under 15's coaches: Anne Brown, Jill Dunk (Townhouse), Vicki Camps and Carole Brown (both Railway Hotel), Lyn Sharkey and Lisa Robertson (Railway Hotel). Critical off-field people, canteen, office/executive, publicity: Jackie Williams (Gills Girls), Linda Jonkers, Lyn Watt, Cherie McCabe (Railway Hotel), Jill Dunk (Townhouse). Well done to all the parents, players and friends manning the canteen as per the roster each week- a great effort, much appreciated. Umpires: BC Hannan (Railway Hotel). Well done to all teams, everyone continues to fulfil their commitment each week. A big thanks to Railway Hotel players for fulfilling a minimum of two umpire commitments every week.

FOUND: 1 distinctive heart-shaped locket on Field 1, last Saturday. It's thought to belong to someone in the under 15's, most likely Cowra Glass or Elders Red. It's at the canteen. You'll need to describe it to claim it.

Exciting rule change, more exciting than "NO OFF-SIDE". At this stage, this is for INFORMATION ONLY. This RULE CHANGE WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED, it must be discussed at our next meeting. This is only PART of the change. Buy a rule book $5 at the canteen and get the full story! UNCHANGED: OPTION 1. Each team may play with a goalkeeper with goalkeeping privileges wearing FULL protective equipment and a different colour shirt. START TO GET EXCITED- OPTION 2. Each team may play with a goalkeeper with goalkeeping privileges wearing ONLY PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR and a different colour shirt. NOW THIS IS REALLY EXCITING AND A BIT SCARY- OPTION 3. Each team may play with ONLY FIELD PLAYERS and no player with goalkeeping privileges (no goalie, no headgear, no different shirt = 11 full field players) And just to make it really exciting, and a headache for umpires - a team may change between these options by making a substitution.

REMEMBER- THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY, MORE DETAILS WILL BE ADVISED OVER THE COMING WEEKS but we would strongly recommend each team buy a rule book $5. Badged umpires will be issued with a book- see Brenda. As all teams are responsible for umpiring duties or may wish to use this rule change in future, you must know how it works in it's entirity.

SENIOR PLAYERS: BODY CONTACT. While body contact with opposing players has been accidental so far, it's becoming slightly more obvious that bodies are connecting prior to the stick coming into contact with the ball. This is occurring more often with some of our "red wine" variety - full bodied players. This is obviously due to physical attributes and enthusiasm to reach the ball rather than any malice but we do ask that all players exercise due care rather than risk penalty for a barging foul.

Well done older lads: A big thanks to the "bibbed blokes" who have continued on from last year and play in very good spirit under the restricted guidelines, the "push only rule". Thanks guys. To the young men moving from the "all strokes" to "push ONLY" keep it up guys, we all appreciate it takes time to adjust and remember the restriction, you're going well. Just to confirm what you can and can't do. No hitting, no edge of the stick sweeps which includes front and reverse stick edge sweeps, no lifting of any kind. Umpires must exercise common sense and decide whether the ball has lifted off the ground rather than intentionally lifted by a "bibbed" male. Off the ground is not a penalty. "Bibs" can't bunt or slap stick the ball forward. A deflection is acceptable but height rules apply. A JINK, which is a movement to get the ball over the stick of an opposing player to avoid a tackle, is acceptable, however the ball must remain within playing distance and be well below knee height otherwise it will be deemed a "lift" and be penalised. Deliberate breaches of the "push rule" may result in a minimum five minute suspension. Umpires are asked to use commonsense and be consistent. Players are asked to be readily accepting of umpires' decisions and go behind your own goal quickly. So guys, what you've been doing so far, stick with it, it's looking pretty good. And once again, well done bibbed blokes.

Special thanks: to Emily Williams (Gills Girls), junior umpire. Emily jumped in at short notice to umpire under 15's, played, then backed up on the last match to ref the seniors. The last match, at this time of year, can be made more difficult by the position of the sun and players need to bear this in mind. A ball passing in and out of shadow, or umpires having to look into the sun with a sea of players jostling for a ball in the circle, it's very hard to pick out penalties. Both Emily and Andrew White, junior umpire for LJ Hookers, did a great job under trying conditions. We've got some really good junior umpires coming through - well done.

The Weekend Round-up: Minkey: Minkey hockey is well under way for the season with four children who are all new to hockey, we have been having lots of fun learning how to hold a hockey stick, hit, push, and stop the hockey ball, all important skills for playing the game. Congratulations to Taylor Petty, this week's player of the day, for trying really hard to keep her stick down when pushing the ball.

Minkey hockey is a basic skills session held on Saturday mornings from 11:15am till 11:45 -12. We start with the basic skills needed to play hockey and work up to playing small games later in the season. It is not to late too start minkey hockey, if you have or know of any young children who may be interested in playing minkey or would like any further information just turn up at the hockey grounds on Saturday at 11:15am or phone Di on 63411860.

Under 15's: ANZ 4 vs Cowra Smash 0. Goal scorers for ANZ Bank were Valerie Simpson 3, Jesse Brown 1.

Elders Red 4 vs Cowra Glass 3: Elders Red: A bit of a shaky start as Elders came to terms with only having 10 players. The elder statesmen Elyse and Jess lead by example playing solid games in the forward line keeping the younger players working the ball forward at every opportunity. Elyse played her best game yet being in the right spot at the right time to score her hat trick of goals. The dynamic duo in the backs, Emma and Claytyn finally worked out what this 'wrapping' stuff that Jill keeps talking about meant and made it difficult for the Glass forwards to get a roll on to the goal. Halves, Elliott, Hayden and Mikaela stuck to the plan in the middle and at times made it seem as though we had the full 11. Claudia volunteered for goalie duty this week and, among others, made a crucial save in the dying minutes of the game to keep Reds ahead at the final whistle. Daniel and Brodie made a formidable pair on the right side of the field and they can proudly say that they had major assists in all of the goals scored. Brodie capped off a great game with a goal of his own - having his sister to aim at in the goal may have been the impetus behind his enthusiasm. As Sandra Feeney proudly stated at the end of the game, "You all deserve the best player award this week."

Seniors: Townhouse 6 vs Railway Hotel 1

Railway Hotel. Mother's day weekend left us a tad short of regulars and Townhouse took full advantage of the situation and used their speedsters to run us a little ragged. Youngster, Skye Pratt in goal did a fabulous job thwarting Town's first and second shots on goal and scrambled hard but our defence couldn't get close enough to clear the ball out of her pads with the Townhouse attack keen to out muscle on the line. Skye, with much time on the ground on our goal line, was a bright light on an otherwise difficult day with only one goal for us, just before closure, after many ventures down our scoring end. Townhouse got plenty of exercise finding the ball for 16 yard hits. Good game to them though, they capitalised on their chances and made us work hard. The Nobes' boys, Jack and Toby joined our ranks, which was nice for us and mum, Joanne - who quickly discovered they gave her as much cheek on her team as they do when they're against it. Goal scorer was Jack Nobes

Townhouse: Wow!! Welcome back Dave and Andy, you have lost none of your skill and speed. To the Grenfell connection of Simone, Casey and Ashleigh - well done. Di played a solid game in goals again. Alex scored three goals - do you have the upper hand on Mel now? Andy put three away on his season opening game - you know we'll be expecting more of the same every week - no pressure in this team.

LJ Hookers 4 vs Gills Girls 0: Goal scorers for LJ Hookers were Paul Farley 1, Andrew White 1 and Shaun Smith 2

This Weekend: U/11's Start: 11:15am sharp Field 2 behind the canteen.

Minkey for the littlies 11:15am sharp Field 1 in front of the canteen

All junior players are reminded they are welcome to participate in the skills sessions for Under 11's. For those that can't attend team trainings or are new to the sport this is a great opportunity to avail of some extra coaching.

Under 15's:12:30pm F1 ANZ Bank Arrows v Cowra Glass Umps: BC Hannan and Marion Rose

Field 3 Elders RED vs Cowra Smash Repairs Umps: LJ Hookers x 1 Gills Girls x 1

Teams are reminded they need to provide at least one umpire each week. Penalties apply for non-provision of umpires. Thanks everyone for your efforts so far, please ensure it continues.

LJ Hookers and Gills Girls: please note you both have two umpiring commitments this week, 1 x under 15's and 1 x seniors.

Seniors: 1:45pm F 1 Aussie Hotel vs LJ Hookers Umps: BC Hannan and Gills Girls

1.45pm F 3 Townhouse vs New Sponsor Umps: Maree Dykes and Carole Brown

3.10pm F 1 Railway Hotel vs Gills Girls Umps: LJ Hookers and Aussie Hotel

Canteen Roster: Under 15's Cowra Glass; Seniors: Gill's Girls (Sorry this week doesn't match the duties in the draw - my mistake last week - JD