BUSINESS OF POLO
“GUARDS POLO CLUB UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES POLO AS THE BEST WAY OF CREATING A PLATFORM OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF PATRONS AND PLAYERS"
that relationship the company moved its charity day to The Queen’s Ground at Smith’s Lawn. Three years on I believed it was time for them to look at us in the longer term – and they agreed. So, in addition to us hosting their 600-guest charity day, Access Bank has become the Club’s Official Bank. In addition, they have asked my team to examine polo opportunities for them in other regions of the world.” Much of this article has been about
friendship and loyalty and a brand that reflects both of those values is La Martina. Not only a Corporate Partner – Guards Polo Club’s official shirt supplier both here in the UK and for our overseas events – but a dual sponsor too. In addition to supporting the Centenary Trophy match in May, La Martina is also the name behind the historic Varsity Day at Guards Polo Club. “La Martina Varsity Day goes from strength to strength,” said Neil. “Both universities are benefiting from sales of their shirts, while the money and technical equipment which La Martina gives to Oxford and Cambridge
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has proved invaluable. This sponsorship is not just about playing match polo, is about encouraging people to learn to play by supporting university coaching – it’s a really tremendous partnership.” In fact, Guards Polo Club understands the importance of schools and universities polo as the best way of creating a platform of excellence for the next generation of patrons and players at Smith’s Lawn. The Club’s dedication in this sphere is reflected in the increasing popularity of the Copenhagen Cup and Guards La Aguada Youth Tournament. “It is apparent by looking around here during the season to see how many players aged 17 to 24 are experiencing the sport at Guards Polo Club. It’s a great sign for the future of the Club.” Elsewhere in this Yearbook the Club’s Polo
Manager Antony Fanshawe suggested that it was time for Guards Polo Club to once again own its own string of ponies. Neil is equally supportive of this idea. “Actually, I was having a conversation this morning about buying a dozen or 15 Club horses which can
be used by our youngsters, members and the military. In addition, I think we could start a groom training scheme at Flemish Farm – the perfect accompaniment to our Tally Ho Farm Groom of the Month Award.” Another area that received a tremendous boost in 2017 was ladies’ polo. Guards Polo Club launched its first ladies’ tournament last summer and with the enquiries already coming into the Polo Office with regard to this year’s event, this was clearly a popular decision. “The emergence of high-goal, ladies; polo has been quite rapid,” said Neil, “and it soon became apparent that we needed to be involved in running a ladies’ high-goal tournament of our own. So, what better than to expand our already popular Breast Cancer Haven charity day into a ladies’ final? Lord Patrick Beresford generously agreed to provide and present a fairly unique trophy and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the play and the standard of horsepower. I think ladies’ polo is in the ascendancy and Guards Polo Club will continue to be very much be involved and support it in any way it can.” Women might be encouraged to take to the field, but Guards Polo Club does not currently have a lady director on its Board of Directors. Neil is not embarrassed by this question, saying: “I think it’s absolutely essential that ladies not only represent all Home Elected Players (HEPS) but represent our large number of lady HEPS. No ladies put themselves up for election last year, but we always welcome Board nominations from any of our lady HEPs. We have had ladies on the Board before and I am confident that we will again.”
Another big issue that our Chief Executive is continuing to focus on is the visa situation and Neil has been instrumental in helping to set up an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the subject. “The Home Office immigration department doesn’t want to impose new legislation on polo now due to Brexit, so we have a status quo for the foreseeable future. However, the visa crisis has highlighted to the polo world that it is very precarious. So, we have asked a number of MPs to form an APPG whose initial task would be to help guide, steer and lobby a favourable outcome for polo within the Home Office in terms of immigration, allowing overseas players and grooms to come and populate the season overseas to make it work. “The Home Office now understands that
GUARDS POLO CLUB OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2018
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