Dear friends, colleagues and new Committee members,

 

Well, the year has flown by; hopefully you have all had a great break.  Well back to Uni, fun, and Polo!  Take time to look at our new website it is work in progress so any news snippets, pics or links send to me and I will get them put on. If used well it will be a University Polo portal for all.  Links to your polo site are gratefully accepted.

 

First off a request. Can you either confirm your position as team captain or university player and pass on to anyone new in the committee or send me details of who is now running your Polo.

 

Regarding clubs, shop around, but make sure they have qualified, checked and suitable coaches and ponies. It is cheaper to book a series of lessons as a group; you will get a better deal. Above all make sure the facility you use is insured! Ask for a copy of the insurance, it easy enough to show if they have! Also if you hire ponies for matches then a Riding School Licence should be held by the club for “Hire and Reward”. This ensures the welfare of the ponies and again covers you as clients and your members from any unforeseen accidents.

 

Organise a raffle, party, fund raising, quizzes, fashion shows etc!  We have a bit of money and a grant form will be sent out later.  Also we are offering a “Starter kit”  of 3 lightweight sticks, 3 hand sticks, 3 pairs knee pads and 3 goggles as well as an arena ball. This deal has been done with Roxton’s  and is a great value, this will be in lieu of a grant but worth £700..  Get a sponsorship committee together to help raise funds, the more you raise the cheaper Polo becomes. 

 

When buying equipment, it is better to get a bulk order in as discounts become more readily available.  Ask the suppliers.   We work closely with Roxtons and often they can give good deals to bone fid students or Universities. 

 

The three Polo periodicals that support us are Polo Times, a monthly, glossy news and views mag, and a weekly online newsletter,  the bible for all UK Polo Players, trust me.  Next is the Polo Magazine, a quarterly, coffee table read, articles and tongue in cheek views from players based in the UK, lots of pics too. Great fun!  Both these magazines offer discounts to SUPA members and the subscription isn’t high.  The third is PQ a very glossy coffee table magazine, based in the UK but covering Polo around the world.

 

Lucy Northmore of SUPA also runs Polonetworks  - a membership organisation for players around the world and it is well worth looking at and signing up to in order to receive regular newsletters, discounted tickets and party invitations etc.

 

We have a system I think is working, but am old and male so it can be flawed! Still here it is:

 

Beginner Section: For those starting in Polo this academic year, can be riders or non rider’s alike but must not have picked up a Polo stick in anger before Sept 15th 2009.  You will need to get a Polo Riding Proficiency Certificate prior to playing in matches though. Ask your Coach or me.

 

Novice Section:For -2 handicapped players only and for those with limited Polo experience, i.e. last years Beginners.

 

Lower Intermediate: (New) For maximum -1 goal players. Beginners can play in this Section as long as approved safe by their Coaches.

 

Upper Intermediate: For those of higher handicap. Maximum team handicap 3 goals.

 

Open Section: Above 3 goals. Players who have Arena handicaps which vary from the outdoor rule will use their Arena handicap.

 

Combined Section: For those players who cannot make up a team from their own University or are on own. The SUPA University will balance the teams to ensure a level tournament.

 

Alumni Section: For the Old Boys (and Girls) this is a section for players who have left University to represent and play. Again this section can be split to ensure level play.

 

RULES!

                                    

We use the HPA Rules for all our matches, with a few changes to make life easier and safer for you our members. 

 

  • No spurs are allowed in matches, whatever! 
  • Knee pads must be worn.
  • THIS IS A NEW RULE. A kite marked helmet must be worn at all times when riding.
  • HPA/SUPA rules on handicaps and player validity are final. 
  • To play in SUPA all must be in full time education, on placement or gap year.  For all Alumni and members of staff then the Alumni Section is for you.
  • In the Beginner Section only, the ball is thrown in at the centre after every goal.
  • Depending on the venue the Umpire (who will be professional and hand picked) will decide to interpret play, rules and safety as necessary.
  • Paramedics will be at all SUPA run events.
  • Facilities will be risk assessed.

 

The Championships will again be at the Hand Arena and will have over 100 teams taking part. Entry forms will be sent in two weeks. Again the First Divisions of Novice and Beginner will be on a first entry received like in the Summer for the 16 places in both Sections.  Bristol University Polo Club will again be hosting the Official Players Party on Sat 20th at the Hand.

 

Dates for your diary:

November 15  2009      Rugby School SUPA AGM all welcome ask for details.

November 21 2009      West Wycombe Arena. The AKUMA UNIVERSITY CHAVLLENGE     A beginner and novice arena tournament. Limited entry.    Depending on entries this may be repeated in early December.

February  18 – 21        Hand Equestrian Centre Bristol.  National University Arena Polo Championships.   All information will be sent in early November for this tournament.

June 11 – 13                National Universities  Polo Championships.  Offchurch Bury Polo Club, Warks.

 

  

Any queries, ideas, information and above all new contact details please contact me at universities@supa.org.uk or call me on 07970 720 456.

 

 

Thanks

 

Mike Hobday, University Chairman for SUPA