How to get started
How to form a club at your Junior or Senior School
If you are interested in getting your school involved in polo gather together the information they will require and present a proposal to senior management by doing the following:
Firstly find your nearest polo club and talk to them about what they could offer you in terms of instruction and pony hire and how much it would cost. Find out group sizes for lessons and what equipment they might have that the pupils could use. Perhaps suggest a 'have a go' session as a taster for those interested.
Check that the schools insurance will cover polo in the same way as all other school sports. SUPA insurance only covers when playing tournaments under HPA rules.
Cost basic equipment such as a few sticks, hats and jodhpur boots so people can have a go before committing to getting their own kit.
Put together a proposal for senior management laying out what is required to get polo going and what budget would be needed. Suggest what would be recharged to pupils and what might be provided by the school - for example tournament entry fees and school matches could be covered by the school and training and lessons covered by the parents. Will polo be regarded as within the schools sport programme, as a club activity or a free-standing activity?
Once senior management has agreed what could be offered, present the opportunity to pupils to see how many people would like to get involved. A letter should also be sent to all parents setting out the arrangements and costs and asking for permissions. Once you have all the necessary permissions and a few keen pupils you are ready to go!
How
to form a club at your University
Firstly speak to your Sports Union, and tell them what you’re planning. Put up posters around the University giving
your number and/or email and hold an open evening and
invite those who are interested. If you are able, get a table at your Fresher’s Fair and get your local Polo Club to help.
If you get enough interest then form a club, if not the you could go in as a
subsidiary division of the Riding or Equestrian Club. Get a working committee together,
don’t take it all on your own shoulders. You need a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and organiser. Remember you are dealing with members, playing and non, and the growth of the
polo club will depend on the selection and effort put in by you and your committee.
Student Union assistance is very helpful, most will help but not necessarily financially. SUPA are busy working to get BUC’s affiliation and recognition so the Union will
have to assist. Otherwise it’s down to you to raise capital. A Polo
lesson costs about the same as a piano lesson, but can still seem expensive. If in doubt SUPA can help with your Student Union and most clubs will try
to help and keep costs down. You should try and negotiate andbook groups of lessons.
Once you have made contact with a polo club and formed a group of commtted enthusiats, you will also have a polo coach. The coach will decide when you are able to play in the SUPA Fixtures and we very much look forward to seeing you at our events.
Finding your nearest Polo Club
If you need help finding your nearest polo club please contact Lucy Northmore.