Western Phoenix have decided to hold a mix and match tournament on September the 20th/21st, but there are also strong rumours that next year will see big changes in Essex. Earlier this year Western Phoenix decided that in 2009 they would be called Ashfields Polocrosse Club, after the ground at which they play. This was after they were guaranteed the use of the ground for another five years. They are apparently also at this very moment redesigning their playing shirts and have, if the rumours are true, embarked on an end of year player buying spree that rivals Manchester City’s!

Ashfields, as they will soon be known, are looking to run out an A/B grade side next year, a big leap up for a club which has normally played C grade and below, with a few of their players, such as Nick Foley and Alice Humphrey, being loaned out to other clubs in order to run out in B grade. In order to achieve this leap they are thought to have signed at least four players; the Zimbabwean pair of Kim Lampard (from Kent) and Ryan Mee (from Solent) plus two other Kent players, Kerry Bean and Nigel Lackford. In addition they are believed to be looking to bring in some overseas talent. Ashfields have also secured a new sponsor for 2009, the BMW dealership Elms Stansted who are based in Bishops Stortford.