Candidate Name: Theresa Noll Candidate Number:

Introduction The sport I have chosen to examine in my national study is Polo. I play competitively in Local and National tournaments and am a member of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). (See appendix 1). In this essay I will examine the provision available moving from first level elite onto National Selection Level. Entering and Progressing in Polo In the UK there are three main avenues for students to enter the sport of Polo:

1. Through a school or University team such as Cheltenham College or Oxford University. I was privileged to have been captain of the only state school Polo Team in the UK; St Bartholomew’s School, Newbury. (see appendix 2) 54 schools play polo and 27 Universities compete in the SUPA competitions. These are regulated by Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA). (www.supa.org.uk ) (see appendix 3).

2. Through the Pony Club - over 500 members and young entrants. (www.pcuk.org/Disciplines/Polo )

3. Through a private club such as Cowdray Park Polo Club. (www.cowdraypolo.co.uk ) (see appendix 4)

The Role of a Governing Body HPA is the governing body of Polo in the UK and Ireland. It is responsible for the regulations and rules under which the game is played. The HPA is responsible for supporting players moving onto Elite representation and professional contracts. The Role and Function of Academies The UK has 6 Polo Academies one of them being Ascot Park Polo Academy (www.polo.co.uk/polo_school.htm ). This is the largest Polo Training Academy in the world with a range of world class facilities and a range of tuition to cater for all levels of player from the amateur non-rider to the professional National Standard player. All academies in the UK are private. Talent Identification and Scouting The HPA oversees all handicapping in the UK and Ireland. Each player is handicapped from -2 to 10. Talent identification can occur as talented players receive a higher handicap. Players will not be able to compete in high level cups nor will they receive a recognised handicap if they are not affiliated to HPA. Talented individuals are also identified when they play in University and Schools Championships. Whilst there are no ‘professional’ talent scouts, HPA officials, coaches and team captains will identify talented players by observing them at matches and through social contacts players are promoted. Once identified, players will be invited to play trial games at the senior cup level. Polo at a National Level The level above the Universities cups is the Young England Team. (see appendix 6). England Selectors identify players at randomly selected tournaments and invite these to take part in trials which culminate in the top players being invited to play for Young England (under 18s) and then hopefully onto the full senior national side of England. When players make the transition from Young England to England National Team it is a significant step since the England players turn from amateur to professional status and dedicate their time entirely to the sport of Polo.

Schemes, Funding and Sponsorship There are few opportunities to enter the game of Polo through voluntary or public means thus the privately funded route is the only realistic option. Polo is also one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and international matches are now televised on SKY Sports. This increased interest has created more sponsorship as sponsors view it as an opportunity to gain publicity, examples include crew clothing (www.crewclothing.co.uk ) Limited corporate sponsorship (see appendix 7) is available for gifted players. La Martina (www.lamartina.com ) sponsors a number of events, teams and individual players across the world such as The Queens Cup at Guards Polo Club. (see appendix 8)To gain personal sponsorship you have to be scouted at an event, or put forward by your coach and club. At the England Level all players are professional as is the case with The Guards Polo Club (www.guardspoloclub.com ) who receives financial backing in the form of sponsorship from Cartier (www.cartier.com ). More often aspiring Polo players will use their club as the sponsor. The club in turn will seek funding from external sources, predominantly commercial companies or governing bodies funding through HPA. UK Sport is responsible for distributing public investment raised by the National Lottery. UK Sport has redefined the terms under which funding and support will be provided. It will operate a World Class Performance Pathway at three key levels: World Class Podium World Class Development World Class Talent Polo players can apply for a grant from UK Sport. Riders who are aged between 14 and 30 (on first application) and who see themselves as having the exceptional talent have the opportunity to be assessed through a three stage process. The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) (www.tass.gov.uk ) is a Government funded programme that represents a unique partnership between sport and higher and further education. With 2012 Olympics approaching TASS are supporting the Olympic sports, polo however is not an Olympic sport therefore doesn’t receive TASS funding. Polo in the context of Gender and Disabilities Polo is open to both genders however, at a higher level; men and women's teams tend to compete separately. Women represent one of the largest growing sectors of Polo today. In 1989 The International Women's Polo Association (IWPA) was formed to promote Polo for women since then it has grown and now has representatives in 31 countries worldwide. (www.polo.co.uk/iwpa ) (See appendix 9)

Developmental pathways are identical and when a performer reaches Elite Professional status training still remains mixed. Both the England and England Ladies team train at the Beaufort Polo Club.

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 prevents the discrimination of disabled people in sport. Competitive Polo is not available to individuals with severe physical disabilities and it is down to individual clubs to make provision for performers with disabilities to take part. Critical Analysis I think the current pathway for development in polo is old fashioned and resistant to change this is holding back potential talent as it is difficult for a young player to be noticed unless they are in the right social groups. There is no clear, direct pathway or set up for talent identification within the sport therefore players have to rely on the unpredictable social scouting within the sport. Access to sponsorship and funding is improving shown through SKY Sports sponsorship of England test matches. I think that in the future HPA will improve there talent pathways and this will help to improve the sport. Word Count: 1,009 (excluding titles and appendices)

References / Bibliography Hurlingham Polo Association Website www.hpa-polo.co.uk Polo Times Website http://www.polotimes.co.uk Riding for the Disabled Association Website http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk La Martina Website http://www.lamartina.com Schools and Universities Polo Association Website http://www.supa.org.uk The Times Website http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article2176375.ece The Pony Club Website http://www.pcuk.org Cowdray Park Polo Club Website http://www.cowdraypolo.co.uk

Ascot Park Polo Academy Website http://www.polo.co.uk/polo_school.htm Kirtlington Park Polo Club Website http://www.kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

The International Women's Polo Association Website

http://www.polo.co.uk/iwpa The Guards Polo Club Website http://www.guardspoloclub.com Cartier Website

http://www.cartier.coAppendices

Appendices

Appendix One – The Hurlingham Polo Association

Appendix Two – St Bartholomew’s school

Appendix Three – Schools and Universities Polo Association

Appendix Four – Cowdray Park Polo Club

Appendix Five – SUPA’s fixtures list

Appendix Six – Young England

Appendix Seven – Commercial Sponsors

Appendix Eight – Queens Cup Guards

Appendix Nine – Women’s Polo

Appendix 1

The Hurlingham Polo Association

Website: http://www.hpa-polo.co.uk

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) is the governing body for polo in the UK,

Ireland and many other countries throughout the world. As such, it is responsible for the

regulations and rules under which the game is played. This includes the handicapping of

any one playing in the U.K. or Ireland, and the fixtures list. The object of the HPA is to

further the interests of polo generally and support by all possible means the common

interests of its affiliated clubs and associations.

In 2004, the HPA became an incorporated company limited by guarantee. The directors

of the company are the Stewards who form an executive committee which meets usually

four times a year. The members of the company are the elected Council representatives of

the affiliated clubs and associations. The Council meets twice a year, in December and in

May for the AGM and approval of the accounts.

Beneath the Stewards, the following sub committees have specific responsibilities to the

Stewards as indicated by their headings:

Handicap, Development, Coaching, International, Finance and Grants, Umpire and Rules,

Umpire Grading, Disciplinary, Polo Pony Welfare, and Arena.

Appendix 2

St Bartholomew’s School - Newbury

St Bart’s is at the heart of the Newbury Community. The school has a history for

tradition, a philosophy of Enterprise and a clear vision for the future. The outstanding

facilities across the curriculum and real attention to the needs of all pupils enable our

students to build for a promising future on solid educational foundations.

St Bart's is a forward thinking comprehensive school. Time after time, our results and

achievements place us as one of the top secondary schools in the country. We are

members of the Specialist Schools Trust 70% club for our GCSE A*-C grades. A large

vibrant sixth form offers a wide range of subjects and attracts students from around the

area.

Appendix 3

Schools and Universities Polo Association

Website: http://www.supa.org.uk/

SUPA was established to promote and develop Schools and Universities Polo. Founded in 1991, SUPA acts as a central point of reference for advice, guidance and encouragement. SUPA organises tournament, representative teams and seeks to distribute financial support as far as possible. There is now an extensive winter and summer programme of polo for Schools, Junior Schools and Universities. SUPA supports an active winter programme of training and development, National Arena Championships and regional tournaments.

The Summer programme features National Junior Schools, Girls Schools and National Universities Tournaments. All of these tournaments feature beginners, novice, intermediate and Open Divisions.

There are on average around 20 players in each school - with some schools having over 40 players. There are around 50 schools and 50 universities involved with SUPA and well over 2,500 young players represented and supported by SUPA.

Appendix 4

Cowdray Park Polo Club

With a long and illustrious history, Cowdray Park is recognized worldwide as the Home

of British Polo. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Viscount Cowdray’s

16,500 acre estate in West Sussex, the game of polo has been played at Cowdray for

close on a century – the first competitive tournaments being recorded in 1910. By the

1920s a whole series of competitions with dedicated cups and trophies was firmly

established, although the sport in the UK was to all but die out during the Second World

War.

Cowdray Park Polo Club’s significance in the re-establishment of polo in England

following the Second World War cannot be underestimated. This was largely due to the

efforts of a legendary name in the history of polo, John, 3rd Viscount Cowdray, who died

in 1995. Father of the present Viscount, he turned Cowdray Park into one of the most

famous polo clubs in the world – firmly establishing its place at the very pinnacle of the

sport both nationally and internationally.

Appendix 5

SUPA Fixture List – 2008

Website: http://www.supa.org.uk/

The tournaments below are organized by SUPA and not only represent an opportunity for

teams to play but also for talented players to be seen in action by club officials and team

captains on the lookout for new talent.

Provisional SUPA Fixture List - 2008

This fixture list is provisional only and is as at 25th October 2008

Revisit this page until it is comfirmed as final

November 2-4 B.E.D. Invitational Tournament Open Edinburgh P.C.

February 7-10 LaMartina Winter National

Universities Open Hand Equestrian

February 24 National Senior Intermediate

Tournament Open Longdole P.C

March 2 National Girls Schools Tournament Open Longdole P.C.

March 9 National Junior Schools Tournament Open Longdole P.C.

March 9 National Senior Schools

Novice Tournament

Open Longdole P.C.

March 16 National Senior Schools Tournament Open Longdole P.C.

April SUPA Tri-Nations – Ireland,

Scotland, England Open Wicklow Arena

April 2 SUPA National Scottish School Open Oatridge

June SUPA Scotland University

Tournament Open Edinburgh P.C.

June 1 National Junior Schools Tournament 0pen Longdole P.C.

June 8 National Girls' Schools Tournament 0pen Millfield

June 13-15 National Universities Tournament 0pen Offchurch Bury

June 15 National Schools Under 16

Tournament 0pen Longdole P.C.

June 22 National Intermediate Schools

Tournament Open Longdole P.C.

June 29 National Senior Schools Tournament 0pen Longdole P.C.

July SUPA Scotland Schools Tournament 0pen Edinburgh P.C.

July 1-2 SUPA Regional Open Tournament Open West Wycombe

July 5 HPA v. SUPA 0pen RCBPC

July 6 HPA v. SUPA (Stephen Towler) 0pen Kirtlington P.C.

July 7-13 LaMartina SUPA International Polo

Festival

July 8 1st Test Match Young England -

Young India Open Guards P.C.

July 12 2nd

Test Match Young England -

Young India Open Cirencester P.C.

July 12 British University v England

Universities Open Cirencester P.C.

July 12 Ladies HPA v. SUPA 0pen Cirencester P.C.

July 12 Colts: Young Britain v Young

England Open Cirencester P.C.

July 19 SUPA National Scottish Schools Open Dundee & Perth

Pc

September SUPA Scottish Challenge Cup Open Edinburgh P.C.

October 5 SUPA Annual General Meeting Harrow School

Appendix 6

Young England

The 2008 SUPA International Polo Test Match Series took place from 7th to 13th July, where the next generation of polo stars from England, France and India were hand selected and invited to come together for a week long polo extravaganza, culminating in the La Martina International SUPA Festival day, hosted by Cirencester Park Polo Club on Saturday July 12th.

This year was no different in illustrating the success of such an initiative but importantly marked a new era in the history of polo and a significant opportunity for the development of the Festival, SUPA’s overall objectives and the way in which the larger polo community play a role. With an increasing crowd of spectators the inevitable polo cycle has led to a new breed of Junior Polo supporters. Fathers usually found on the pitch playing medium and high goal polo took a day out of the polo season with camera in hand and budding polo playing children in tow. One particular Father who stood out from the crowd is better known for his polo team Cadenza and his support of the Cartier International Day where the Audi and Cadenza sponsored England team play. In response to the talent displayed during the week-long festival, Tony Pidgley came forward as a new sponsor of the International Polo Festival with the Cadenza Junior Gold Cup and a generous grant. Cadenza now joins La Martina as an ardent sponsor of the Schools and Universities Polo Association. The Cadenza Junior Gold Cup was created and will be annually awarded to winners of the International Test Match Series. Tony Pidgley, genuinely excited about the opportunities that surround SUPA and the support he can offer said: “I am involved in polo at the top end and it only makes sense to get involved at the foundation level too, as this is the next generation of polo players. It also motivates the young and keeps me involved. This is what polo is all about –there are no pro’s out there, these guys are playing against their peers and some of the talent I saw today made me think that some of these guys might be worth employing for my own team! I am looking forward to supporting this event and a number of initiatives with SUPA”. The Festival represents the best of the Schools and Universities Players and also hosts up to two invited international school/university teams showcasing their most promising players. This year, players were flown over from India and France and two Young England teams selected to participate in the all important two-test match series. The players are carefully selected - many of whom who

are not often given this kind of an international opportunity rose to the challenge. The Festival day witnessed perfectly matched teams and outcomes defined within seconds of the clock. The matches displayed fast, sweeping and open polo with huge lofted shots, accurate and running nearside plays and the most impressive back-hands on show in one day. The prize giving hosted by Chairman of Cirencester Park Polo Club Richard Britten-Long captured the spirit of the day, and the effect of the work SUPA does was concluded perfectly by French Polo Federation Coach Mr Jean Yves Garaud: “We have had the most wonderful week and importantly will be taking a little bit of SUPA back to France where we have no such system in place. We have felt privileged to be part of the Festival and are overwhelmed at the generosity of Polo Clubs in England.” With the talent displayed during this unique week long festival and the generosity and support of sponsors and supporters there looks to be an exciting future ahead for the next generation of polo players. The Schools and Universities Polo Association would like to extend its gratitude to key sponsors La Martina and supporters Roxtons, and event sponsors elliegray clothing, Total Employment, Brett Polo, Polonetworks and Lycetts Insurance.

Appendix 7

Commercial Sponsors

The following is a sample list of companies who have actively supported and sponsored

Polo. The list is not comprehensive and has been added from my research to show the

variety of companies interested in supporting Polo. I have added the nature of the

business of the sponsors.

• Baileys Horsefeed – Horse feedstuff

• Audi - Cars

• Cartier – Luxury goods

• Vieve Cliquot - Drinks

• The Worshipful Company of Saddlers – Organisation

• Brett Horsepower – Horse equipment

• La Martina – Clothing

• Ganjam – Jeweler

• Bose – Audio Equipment

• Churchill Insurance - Insurance

• Roxtons - Clothing

• The Polo Splice - Clothing

• Polo Times - Newspaper

• Al Habtoor Group – Wealth Management

• Meyado Wealth Management

• Jack Wills – Clothing

• Centaur – Photographic

• Hildon – Mineral Water

Example of Sponsorship by LA Martina

LA MARTINA grant launches SUPA International Polo

Festival

Schools and Universities Polo Association will stage its first “SUPA International

Polo Festival” grant-supported by Argentina’s premier polo supplier, La Martina

and in cooperation with the Pony Club at the seat of SUPA polo, Cirencester Park

Polo Club, July 16.

Featured for the first time, at one event, will be Britain’s finest young players, men

and a woman, in a medley of international polo matches:

• Young England v New Zealand

• Young England v Kenya

• Young England Colts v Young Britain Colts

• England Universities (South) v British Universities (North)

• POUT Ladies v HPA Ladies

SUPA institutions, University/Head Masters/Mistresses, from across the country

will be invited to an exclusive day of youth polo which culminates the work of the

England selectors to refine its national team selections from a series of pre-festival

trials in anticipation of these international test matches. A sponsored barbeque is

also planned. Pout, the high fashion cosmetics boutique, has sponsored the Ladies

match.

The principal support from La Martina, in the cooperation between the HPA and

Pony Club will transform this traditional SUPA day into a unique international polo

event in the polo calendar dedicated to the future of youth polo.

SUPA, with over 2,000 members, is a not-for-profit organization established to

promote and organize youth polo amongst educational institutions within the UK

and internationally.

Appendix 8

Guards Polo Club - Queens Cup Information http://www.guardspoloclub.com/the-events/tournament/73

Held on 14/06/09.

This world-class polo tournament attracts the sport's leading players from across the

globe. Played over a period of three weeks, some 16 teams battle on the Club's main

grounds in a bid to win the prestigious Queen's Cup. This silverware was first presented

to the Club by HM The Queen in 1960 and she historically attends Finals Day, this year

scheduled for Sunday 14 June, to present the Cup to the winning patron.

The team sheet always reads like a Who's Who of polo and each game is so important

that even if the players are not in action on the field, they can be found watching the

games intensely, keeping a close eye on their rivals' tactics. This is 22-goal polo at its

best - with players and ponies at the top of their game.

Appendix 9

International Women’s Polo

Following it's initial conception in 1989 and its formal UK launch in April 1997, the IWPA now has representatives in 31 countries worldwide and is involved in the organisation of 10 International tournaments.

The Association's main sponsor is the Ascot Park Polo Club which supports its Founder and Chairman, Pippa Grace and funds the Association's administrative costs.

Aims

The Association assists with the International development of the growing number of women players. It aims are to:

• Increase the number of new women players through scholarships and the identification of international playing opportunities;

• Encourage the provision of facilities for female players at clubs around the world;

• Increase the level of sponsorship and financial support directed towards women's polo and its players;

• Promote the use of female Professional Players;

• Encourage the development of National Women's Polo Development Committees.

The IWPA creates opportunities for women at clubs throughout the world and in particular at its home base, the Ascot Park Polo Club were both the UK National Women's Polo Tournament and the Women's World Polo Championships are hosted.

Ladies Chukkas are held every Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. In addition, the IWPA organises its annual subsidised National Ladies Training Day at the Club.