NEW SPORTS


TOM WALKER • MANAGING EDITOR • SPORTS MANAGEMENT SHIFTING UP A GEAR


“original” polo was a fierce and aggres- sive game played between herdsmen in dusty outbacks – a sport unrecogni- sable to those familiar with the modern, gentrified version played on manicured greens in front of sponsored marquees and champagne-sipping crowds. Subsequently, despite the lack of an


B


equine element, Bike Polo has much more in common with its fervid ancestor than modern day polo. It’s a fast- paced, gritty, full contact sport played by people of all backgrounds. Starting


ike polo is a direct descen- dant of the ancient game of polo, which according to his- torians dates back to 600BC. Played on horseback, the


A new sport is taking urban areas by storm. Hardcourt bike polo is a fast, exciting game which is attracting people from all backgrounds. Leisure centres are already taking notice and some have added the rapidly growing sport to their activities


out is easy – all you need is a bike and a mallet, (most of the mallets are home made). As a result, it is attracting players of all background and ages – making it a fast growing sport with a bright future.


HOW IT STARTED Although hardcourt bike polo – the most recent, urbanised version of the


sport – is a fairly recent activity, bicycle polo itself has a long and distinguished history. Invented in 1891 by Irish cy- cling enthusiast Richard J Mecredy, it became widely popular in the UK. The Bicycle Polo Association of Great Brit- ain (BPA) was founded in 1897 and the sport also crossed the Atlantic that same year, when the first bike polo club


The sport has spread rapidly across the UK since its reintroduction


62 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital


Issue 2 2013 © cybertrek 2013


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