APOLOA REPORT FOR 2005

Introduction
The aim of APOLOA’s 2005 Mission Statement was ‘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'. 2005 has gone someway to achieving this by encouraging both new members to join and supporting those already existing players.

General
Membership: The level of membership during the season has been encouraging, with the Association growing to over 100, including RMAS and RAPA. A detailed breakdown enclosed at Annex A. Due to Operational Commitments and the loss of the Light Dragoons and Kings Royal Hussars, the amount of established players able to commit to polo was lower than usual, however this is an ongoing issue. The most encouraging factor has been the huge interest/ take up of Polo within traditionally non polo playing Regiments/ Corps, the RLC, AGC and 1BW are all examples. This can be directly linked to both the introduction of polo at RMAS and the continued success of basic courses run by the Tidworth Polo Club.

Fixtures: APOLOA entered a number of official teams in tournaments through out 2005 at all levels:
a. Toulston. An Army team was sent to Toulston for their four goal Tournament, the team came fifth out of eight.
b. Rundle Cup. The Army team defeated the Navy during a hard fought game.
c. Inter Regimental. APOLOAS hosted the tournament for the CSPA with The Household Cavalry Regiment winning beating RMAS 9 – 51/2 in a tight game at Guards Polo Club. The number of entries was down due to operational commitments, but the standard of polo was high.
d . Captains and Subalterns. RMAS won the Captains and Subalterns in a hugely successful tournament, comprising the AGC, 1 BW, Bovington, RDG, RMAS, Navy, RAF.
e. Cornwell Affiliates. Having beaten the Navy in the first game 2 – 1, the Army was narrowly beaten in the last 30 secs of their second match, losing 31/2 – 4 to the home side Cornwell Affiliates.

Overseas Tour: During 2005 and early 2006 season, APOLOA organised two official tours abroad, sending players to Argentina and Nigeria:
Argentina: APoloA sent an Official Army Team to Argentina for seven days between October 23 and 31. The tour was a training event for the more established members of the association. Official matches were organised, however at the last moment the Argentine Army were unable to field a team, however they played a series of matches at local clubs, which included a number of instructional chukkas. Click here for a full report
Nigeria: On behalf of the CSPA, APoloA sent a four man team to Nigeria to take part in the inaugural International Military Tournament in KADUNA. two official matches were played against the South Africans and the Indian Army. Click here for a full report

Training Days: APOLOA organised two Training Days during the season at TPC which proved highly successful. In total 20 members took advantage of the free coaching. It is the Association’s aspiration to hold one every month during the season in 2006.

Accounts: The accounts will be issued to the CSPA on completion of the Audit.

Website: APOLOA now has a website where all its information is now posted on a regular basis. All those wanting information should refer to the site. It can be accessed under ‘APOLOA’ on the CSPA site, www.cspa.org.uk.

Conclusion: All in all 2005 was a pretty successful season, however importantly it has laid the basis for an even more successful 2006. During 2006 there is an aspiration to create more official fixtures at all levels for all members of the Association, continue to send tours abroad and above all have as many people playing polo as possible.