Untitled Document



HISTORY The Army Polo Association (APOLOA) was founded in 1998 to co-ordinate and encourage polo in the Army, both at home and abroad. In the United Kingdom, servicemen are integrated as members, within the different clubs. At the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), the polo is specifically aimed at teaching and encouraging polo amongst the cadets and staff within the Academy. MISSION ‘To encourage, support and organise polo throughout the Army at all levels in order to widen its membership and increase the opportunity to play the game.’ MEMBERSHIP There are currently over 100 members in the Association, this includes both UK and Germany, with over 50 actively playing during the 2005 season. Handicaps range from +3 to -2, with currently no less than six +2 players based mainly at the Guards Polo Club (GPC) at Windsor and the Tidworth Polo Club (TPC) in Hampshire. Availability of players is subject to operational commitments. TEAMS All members are eligible to play and selected by the APOLOA Committee: a. Senior Army Team. Revolving around the more established players in APOLOA, this team enters 4–8 goal tournaments through out the country. b. Developing Army Team. Centred on the up and coming players, this team enters 0 to +4 handicap tournaments. c. Novice Army Team. Focused on the beginners and lower handicapped players, these teams are traditionally regimentally based. Tournaments include the Captains and Subalterns and matches against the Pony Club and University Teams. This includes matches played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). FIXTURES Army teams take part in a wide range of tournaments through out the season, these are both internally run and invitational games: a. Internal Tournaments. The following are run by APOLOA: 1) Inter-Regimental. The oldest Polo tournament in the World, this tournament focuses on the highest standard of military polo and looks to encourage all Regiments/ Services to enter. Spread over 3 weeks and 3 rounds, the final is played at GPC on The Queen’s Ground on a Sunday in June. 2) MABway Captains and Subalterns. Traditionally looking to encourage the younger members of the military to play, this tournament is now an established fixture at TPC in July. 3) Planned. APOLOA is running several additional high profile fixtures at various clubs around the country. These are likely to be based around popular charity days. b. External Fixtures. On top of the internally run tournaments, Army teams also take part in additional fixtures: 1) Rundle Cup. The cornerstone of Services Polo, the Army v Navy at TPC. This is a high profile day, attracting circa 5000 people, with HRH The Prince of Wales and his sons usually involved with the day. 2) RMAS Charity Day. CSPA run, this high profile day has an Army fixture and calls upon additional Army Players. The day comprises 3 matches, 1 High Goal, again with the support of HRH The Prince of Wales and any touring side that is visiting the UK. A unique experience due to its location. 3) Major General’s Cup. The Army enter at least one team to play at GPC over this weekend in August. The final is played on The Queen’s Ground in front of a 1000 strong crowd. GERMANY With the welcome support of the locals, APOLOA is looking to further develop military polo in Germany. TOURS APOLOA is responsible for sending official Army Teams on overseas tours to play foreign services. The profile of such tours is high and generates a considerable amount of interest in visiting countries. SCHOLARSHIP APOLOA is offering one scholarship a year at £300. Applications to the Secretary by the end of the season. FUNDING Due to the continual impact of operations and the high costs involved in playing polo, the majority of APOLOA members do not have their own ponies. Even for those players that do, the costs are large and untenable without some degree of financial support to reduce the burden. Therefore, in order to continue to encourage members to play and represent the Army, APOLOA offers grants and subsidies towards the cost of hiring ponies, thereby reducing the single largest outlay. APOLOA receives no direct funding from the military. In order to continue the support to its members, the Association relies upon piece meal grants, subscriptions and sponsorship to generate sufficient revenue to support its members. COMMITTEE: President - Major General (Retd) AG Denaro CBE Chairman - Lieutenant Colonel SW Ledger LD Treasurer - Major J Clark QRL Secretary - Captain PRW Kaye KRH BF(G)PC COMMITTEE: President: Brig P Marriott CBE Late QRL Chairman: Lt Col Crewdson OBE 9/12L Treasurer: Lt W Richmond 9/12 L Secretary: Maj R Boyle RScotsDG

HISTORY

The Army Polo Association (APOLOA) was founded in 1998 to co-ordinate and encourage polo in the Army, both at home and abroad. In the United Kingdom, servicemen are integrated as members, within the different clubs. At the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), the polo is specifically aimed at teaching and encouraging polo amongst the cadets and staff within the Academy.

MISSION

‘To encourage, support and organise polo throughout the Army at all levels in order to widen its membership and increase the opportunity to play the game.’

MEMBERSHIP

There are currently over 100 members in the Association, this includes both UK and Germany, with over 50 actively playing during the 2005 season. Handicaps range from +3 to -2, with currently no less than six +2 players based mainly at the Guards Polo Club (GPC) at Windsor and the Tidworth Polo Club (TPC) in Hampshire. Availability of players is subject to operational commitments.

TEAMS

All members are eligible to play and selected by the APOLOA Committee:

a. Senior Army Team. Revolving around the more established players in APOLOA, this team enters 4–8 goal tournaments through out the country.
b. Developing Army Team. Centred on the up and coming players, this team enters 0 to +4 handicap tournaments.
c. Novice Army Team. Focused on the beginners and lower handicapped players, these teams are traditionally regimentally based. Tournaments include the Captains and Subalterns and matches against the Pony Club and University Teams. This includes matches played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

FIXTURES

Army teams take part in a wide range of tournaments through out the season, these are both internally run and invitational games:

a. Internal Tournaments. The following are run by APOLOA:

1) Inter-Regimental. The oldest Polo tournament in the World, this tournament focuses on the highest standard of military polo and looks to encourage all Regiments/ Services to enter. Spread over 3 weeks and 3 rounds, the final is played at GPC on The Queen’s Ground on a Sunday in June.
2) MABway Captains and Subalterns. Traditionally looking to encourage the younger members of the military to play, this tournament is now an established fixture at TPC in July.
3) Planned. APOLOA is running several additional high profile fixtures at various clubs around the country. These are likely to be based around popular charity days.

b. External Fixtures. On top of the internally run tournaments, Army teams also take part in additional fixtures:

1) Rundle Cup. The cornerstone of Services Polo, the Army v Navy at TPC. This is a high profile day, attracting circa 5000 people, with HRH The Prince of Wales and his sons usually involved with the day.
2) RMAS Charity Day. CSPA run, this high profile day has an Army fixture and calls upon additional Army Players. The day comprises 3 matches, 1 High Goal, again with the support of HRH The Prince of Wales and any touring side that is visiting the UK. A unique experience due to its location.
3) Major General’s Cup. The Army enter at least one team to play at GPC over this weekend in August. The final is played on The Queen’s Ground in front of a 1000 strong crowd.

GERMANY

With the welcome support of the locals, APOLOA is looking to further develop military polo in Germany.

TOURS

APOLOA is responsible for sending official Army Teams on overseas tours to play foreign services. The profile of such tours is high and generates a considerable amount of interest in visiting countries.

SCHOLARSHIP

APOLOA is offering one scholarship a year at £300. Applications to the Secretary by the end of the season.

FUNDING

Due to the continual impact of operations and the high costs involved in playing polo, the majority of APOLOA members do not have their own ponies. Even for those players that do, the costs are large and untenable without some degree of financial support to reduce the burden. Therefore, in order to continue to encourage members to play and represent the Army, APOLOA offers grants and subsidies towards the cost of hiring ponies, thereby reducing the single largest outlay.

APOLOA receives no direct funding from the military. In order to continue the support to its members, the Association relies upon piece meal grants, subscriptions and sponsorship to generate sufficient revenue to support its members.

COMMITTEE:

President - Major General (Retd) AG Denaro CBE
Chairman - Lieutenant Colonel SW Ledger LD
Treasurer - Major J Clark QRL
Secretary - Captain PRW Kaye KRH

BF(G)PC COMMITTEE:
President: Brig P Marriott CBE Late QRL
Chairman: Lt Col Crewdson OBE 9/12L
Treasurer: Lt W Richmond 9/12 L
Secretary: Maj R Boyle RScotsDG