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Senior Schools Rules & Regulations 2017

Players are expected to be well turned out and safe for all SUPA matches and throughout the event.

GENERAL: All Players must wear team shirts, white breeches/white jeans, kneepads and proper riding boots (leather or rubber).

HATS:   As from 1st January 2010, all participants in ANY SUPA Sanctioned events must wear a BSI Kitemarked helmet.  There are several 3 and 4 point linkage helmets on the market, but the helmet must carry the BSI Kitemark to be deemed safe.  Polo Helmets, Riding Hats and Skull Caps will all carry this inside the helmet on the lining. The HPA is currently reviewing this standard.

GOGGLES:  It is recommended that goggles are worn by every player. Lensless or specialised goggles are available from Polo equipment suppliers.

KNEE PADS:  Knee pads are to be worn in all SUPA sanctioned events and Championships, as per HPA Rule 3,b.

SPURS:   Spurs are not allowed under any circumstances in any SUPA sanctioned match or Championship, and no dispensation will be given. If you are seen wearing spurs, you will be asked to remove them.

GOPRO CAMERAS: GOPRO cameras or any other miniature recording devices are not to be worn or held by any person once they are mounted.

RULES: The rules as laid down by the H.P.A. are to be applied, unless SUPA and their officials deem otherwise. The rules may be interpreted in a slightly different manner due to the facilities used by the Officials on the day.  Changes and interpretation will be listed on the notice boards before play if made.  Decision of the Section Manager and Tournament Chairman will be final.

SUPA AUTHORISED EVENTS:  [BASED ON THE HPA - "Unauthorised Polo Events" December 2014 Regulation 1.15 ]

SUPA is responsible for Authorising "Sanctioned Events, National/Regional Tournaments and National Championships" which are acknowledged SUPA activities and considered Membership Benefits. These activities which involve SUPA Member-players enjoy many membership benefits, including limited public liability insurance.  Participation in  ANY OTHER "non-Sanctioned" or  non "SUPA" polo activities involving SUPA members render player Membership and its benefits null and void (this means:  SUPA all benefits including insurance benefits will not apply and membership temporarily suspended.)  

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SECTIONS OF PLAY

All players will play off the minimum handicap of  "S" or the handicap as given by a registered HPA Club if they are a paid up member.  SUPA matches are played open, although handicaps may be used to seed and Section players.  The Outdoor Registered handicap is the one used by SUPA unless the player in question is awarded a separate Arena Handicap.  For Arena an Outdoor Handicap  plus 1 is taken.  ALL players must be Registered and paid up members of SUPA before play (see How to Join on this website).  SUPA Players benefit from a Limited Public and Accident Insurance provided through HPA and Lycetts Insurance Brokers.(see www.hpa-polo.com for more information about insurance).

All players must be current full-time students at the Member School or Member Institution they are registered to represent. 

NOVICE: This Section is for any player "S" or -2 handicapped players deemed safe by their HPA Instructor. Beginners can play in this Section.  HPA Instructors will be responsible for the suitability and safety of these players and as required provide evidence of  Level One Certificate of Polo Riding Competence Certification normally issued if requested.  This Section is for "S" or un-registered players.

NB: For all this Section the ball may be thrown in from the centre following every goal.

INTERMEDIATE SECTION: This Section is designed to accommodate schools with more than one team other than their First Team.  SUPA wishes to encourage and include those players who make up the polo squad and who may not be selected for the "First Team".

OPEN SECTION: This Section is for all players nominated to represent their institutions "First Team" and compete for the SUPA National Senior Schools Trophy and title. 

COMBINED SECTION:  This Section is for any institutions' member player of any handicap, who is unable to join a team elsewhere due to lack of members, handicap or availability.  SUPA will "make-up" and determine the balance of these teams. This Section may be split into sub-sections depending on numbers and handicaps.

LATE ENTRY OR WITHDRAWAL OF TEAMS/PLAYERS

If a team or player has to withdraw less than 10 days before a tournament the entry fee will be forfeited and penalties [currently £30-£80] may be affixed.  Please coordinate with the Section Manager to mitigate possible fines as early as possible.

Other Players:

• OVERSEAS PLAYERS:  These players will play off their last registered HPA Handicap, or if not registered then the handicap given by their Governing Polo Association.  It is the Team Captain, Manager, Club Captain or Chairman's responsibility to clarify this with all overseas players and notify SUPA immediately.  The Official online Membership Registration and online Tournament Entry will attest to and confirm the eligibility as well as attest to the safety of the players entered by the Team Captain, Manager, Club Captain or Chairman.
• POLO CROSSE:  Players who play Polo Crosse and are also at a polo club will play off the handicap given and assessed by that Polo Club.  If a player is not a member of an HPA Club, then they will be assessed by SUPA, based on consultation with the appropriate Certified HPA Instructor.  Non handicapped players will be registered as "S".
• ALUMNI PLAYERS: All other former school or university players or bonafide full-time staff may be eligible to join SAPA, SUPA Alumni Polo Association, Ltd, and participate in SAPA Polo events.  SAPA, an HPA Association, is a separate and privately owned affiliate of SUPA, Ltd. which generates grant monies to SUPA as and when possible.

LIMITED LIABILTY INSURANCE:    All players are to be fully paid up before they play.  Forms can be completed and payment made online from the website www.supa.org.uk .  The annual coverage is for the Academic Year September to the end of August. From 2016-2017 the annual subscription is £55 per member-player which includes Limited Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance.  SUPA does not offer Personal Medical Insurance coverage which should be sought by its member-players.  We are the first Polo Association to provide this benefit and details of the policy can be downloaded from the HPA website www.hpa-polo.com .  It is the players responsibility to be registered and provide proof of payment to any third party if required.  Again our Official Registrar, Mrs. Donna Stephens, membershipregistrar@supa.org.uk may be reached to assist members if any problems arise.
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NOTE: The Insurance benefit provided by SUPA membership has just renewed, February 1, 2016 and we are awaiting the new policy from insurers – as soon as this arrives we shall post the policy terms on the website. In the meantime, below is the link to the expiring policy, the main body of which has not altered in its fundamental coverage so far as your members will be concerned.

http://www.hpamembers.co.uk/document_archive/insurance/2014%20-%202015%20PL%20Policy%20wording%20for%20HPA%20website.pdf

MEDICAL INSURANCE: SUPA does not provide any level of medical insurance coverage.  All players must determine and confirm with their University if sports insurance, including polo, is available whilst playing university polo.  All players are advised to seek and secure all risk insurance coverage which includes the sport of polo.  Polo is a dangerous sport.