Polo news
29 March, 2009
South Island Secondary Schools' Polo Tournament
report by Gordon Gibson, President, NZ Polo Association Inc
Ladies & Gentlemen
On Sunday I went to Christchurch to watch the end of season Secondary Schools Polo Tournament held at Roddy and Dee Woods' property.
I have to say it was one of the most marvellous days I have spent at polo. Witnessing 68 kids up to 18 years playing for their schools and their pony clubs was a most exciting experience. I have seen it in England and really hoped that we could, eventually, do it in NZ. Now! It is happening.
Some players had only played twice before but were right into it and not embarrassing themselves at all.
They pick it up very quickly. 27 games were played during the day (mostly 1 chukka). The standard progressed from the newcomers, which, I might add, were two pony clubs who have recently got going, up to the 4 chukka final between Christs College A and the Barbarians, who were last years' stars. That game was brilliant with a 4 all draw had to be decided by a run up. The game ran from end to end, the hitting, forehands, back hands on both sides of the horse was outstanding. There was no stopping and fiddling around with the ball. The game was played in such good spirit and the players understood the rules so well that there was hardly any whistle. At the end of the game the players came off the field with grins from ear to ear. They just love it! The Headmasters and staff of schools were there, the parents and families were there as were the pony club administrators whom, I am told, are very pleased with their kids' progress at polo. Getting the pony clubs involved, is, in itself, a great breakthrough, All teams were dressed immaculately in their colours and ponies were all turned out well.
The organization was superb and was only 2 minutes behind schedule by the end of 27 games. The venue is beautiful. There was a large crowd.
It was a most memorable day and it really is a great credit to Roddy, Dee, Charlie, Jimmy and Henry with a committee made up of school staff and parents who all made it happen. The photos of the day are being made available by Monique Ellis-Martin, who doubles as Christs College Polo Manager and photographer and I will let you know when they are up on either theirs or our website.
Roddy has shown us the way!
- He has shown us that it is possible to build youth polo in NZ.
- He has shown us HOW to do it. They are now setting up a South Island SUPA Polo Club which will be affiliated to NZ Polo via SI Polo Association. SUPA will be the entity through which they are going to build junior polo throughout the South Island. So they are on fast track. Polo is officially part of the schools' sports curriculum and judging by their progress to date I have little doubt that many of our future high goal polo players are going to come out of the South Island.
If we could have 68 juniors playing in Central Districts, Waikato and Auckland, polo's future would be mapped out.
24 January, 2007
Polo News - November 2007
Schools Polo
A Grade Teams - March 2007 - Christ's College v Combined Team
sponsored by Mistral Polo www.mistralpolo.com
Interschools Polo - Sunday 2nd Dec - Waireka Polo Farm, Sefton
The schools polo tournaments begin on Dec 2nd at Sefton with teams from Christ's College, St. Margaret's College, Rangi Ruru, St. Andrew's College, Marlborough College as well as many combined teams competing in the first tournament of the season. It is exciting to see so many new players taking up the sport and travelling from all around the South island to compete in this growing competition. This year we welcome two new sponsors to the event, The Antartic Centre and Jennian Homes who have generously donated prizes for all the players.
Spectators are welcome to picnic in the grounds and support the teams.
Christ's College v Old Boys - Sat 1st Dec - Waireka
With the huge success of the Christ's College teams last season the Old Boys will have their work cut out taking on this team of dedicated and skillful young players. Being the first school team in New Zealand to compete in a club level tournament at Amuri Polo Club last season the boys are full of confidence and have been out training in any spare moments they have.
New riders keen to try polo are welcome to contact Roddy for information on coaching and how to get started.
Priority Finance International - Sunday 21st Jan 2008 - Christchurch Polo Club, Wigram Road - Next to A&P grounds
Due to the huge success of the launch of this tournament in Jan 2007 Priority Finance were delighted to again take the opportunity to be title sponsor for this glamourous and exciting tournament. Featuring the best players and ponies the South Island has to offer taking on an International team this will be a day of great entertainment. Public are welcome to bring along a picnic and enjoy the action.
A full list of polo events are available on the NZ Polo Association website www.polo.org.nz
April, 2006
Schools polo has finished for the season but will be starting up again early in Term 4. We are planning two interschool tournaments in term 4, one during Christchurch's show weekend, and the other at the end of the term, in December.
Several of the players from the inter-schools tournament have also played in the main South Island Tournaments last season, and several have had their handicaps increased. Congratulations to all those who have improved their game!
Roddy will be assisting the NZ team to prepare for the Coronation Cup in Windsor Park, England, on Cartier International Day, in late July.
December, 2005
Schools Polo results
A Grade
Christ's College 'A' beat the NZ Combined Schools team by 5 to 1. Top scorer for the College team was Ben Finney who put in 3 goals. Best playing pony was Drew Harris's Helana and the MVP was Charles Wood.
B Grade
Won by Christ's College 'B' and the runners up were the Christchurch Combined Schools team. This grade was won on goal differences and CC'B' had to win their last game by 3 goals which they managed to do which put them one goal ahead of the Combined team.
C Grade
This was won by Rangiora High which beat Medbury by one goal in their final game.
School's Polo would like to say thanks to CRT, D J Clarke Saddlery and Susan Hagaman for all their support for this tournament.
November, 2005
FIP World Cup
New Zealand has been allocated the zone final for the FIP World Cup. The event will take place in 2007 in Auckland, and will be the biggest polo event in New Zealand. A 14-goal New Zealand team will be selected to play against teams from five other countries. From this tournament, two teams will quality for the World Cup finals, in Mexico.
NZ invited to play for Coronation Cup
A New Zealand team has been invited to play for the Coronation Cup in England. The 27-goal team will play a test match against England in July 2006. In the past two renewals of the Coronation Cup, Australia won last year, and England beat a team from Mexico.
Schools polo strong
School polo in North Canterbury is kicking off again, with the inter-school tournament on November 27, here at Waireka Polo farm.
Last year there were teams and players from St Margaret's College, Christ's College, Rangi Ruru Girls School, Christchurch Boys High School, Burnside High School, Medbury Boys School, St Bedes College, Middleton Grange and Geraldine High School. These schools and other will be represented this year, and if a school cannot put a team together, combined teams can also be arranged. Pony club tournaments will be held throughout the summer holidays with tournaments on December 21 at Port Hills Polo Club and January 11 at Waireka Polo farm Sefton.
For more information on joining, please contact Roddy.