About RAFPA



HISTORY The RAF Polo Association was started by enthusiasts in the early 1920's and has continued intermittently until recently when there was a sudden surge of interest from younger and newer players. MEMBERSHIP There are currently 26 members in the RAFPA, with handicaps up to 0. Last season 13 out of the 16 match playing members (handicap -2 or above) represented the RAF, the others being away on detachments. With only six pony owners, most players hire horses for the matches, and these costs are subsidised by the association. TEAMS AND TRAINING There are two main teams, the 'A' Team and the Captain and Subalterns' Team. Trials and training are held at Cranwell on the first weekend in May. If you don't make one of the teams, there is still a good chance to play during the season due to player availability and work commitments. A third RAF team is usually created for the Cranwell weekend thanks to the large number of members attending. All other training is run through Tidworth Polo Club. TOURS The next RAF tour is planned for April 2008. We're looking at bringing two teams back out to South Africa, training at Nicola Fitzgerald's yard in Plettenberg Bay, and playing against local teams at Kurland Polo Club. COMMITTEE President – Air Vice Marshal Chris Nickols CBE Chairman - Group Captain Tim Brown Treasurer/PR – Flying Officer Vicky Woodhead Secretary – Flight Lieutenant Ellie Hoogewerf OIC Cranwell Polo - Flight Lieutenant Dave Black Tour Coordinator - Squadron Leader Martin Adcock

HISTORY

The RAF Polo Association was started by enthusiasts in the early 1920's and has continued intermittently until recently when there was a sudden surge of interest from younger and newer players.

MEMBERSHIP
There are currently 26 members in the RAFPA, with handicaps up to 0. Last season 13 out of the 16 match playing members (handicap -2 or above) represented the RAF, the others being away on detachments. With only six pony owners, most players hire horses for the matches, and these costs are subsidised by the association.

TEAMS AND TRAINING
There are two main teams, the 'A' Team and the Captain and Subalterns' Team. Trials and training are held at Cranwell on the first weekend in May. If you don't make one of the teams, there is still a good chance to play during the season due to player availability and work commitments. A third RAF team is usually created for the Cranwell weekend thanks to the large number of members attending. All other training is run through Tidworth Polo Club.

TOURS
The next RAF tour is planned for April 2008. We're looking at bringing two teams back out to South Africa, training at Nicola Fitzgerald's yard in Plettenberg Bay, and playing against local teams at Kurland Polo Club.

COMMITTEE
President – Air Vice Marshal Chris Nickols CBE
Chairman - Group Captain Tim Brown
Treasurer/PR – Flying Officer Vicky Woodhead
Secretary – Flight Lieutenant Ellie Hoogewerf
OIC Cranwell Polo - Flight Lieutenant Dave Black
Tour Coordinator - Squadron Leader Martin Adcock