Cotswold Polocrosse Club UKPA News

Date Item Contact
February 2002

Equus, The Horse Event

4th - 7th April
ExCel - London
Gail King has organised a UKPA stand at this event and I understand the Under 21 squad is doing a couple of demos. Call 0780 121 5330 for discounted tickets "from" £4 child, £8 adults. I have a few leaflets if you want one.

Gerry
event web site
February 2002

President's Tournament 14th/15th September

This year the President's tournament will be hosted by Pegasus Croome. This is largely a tournament for UKPA squads and it is the opportunity for selectors to make their final selection for next year. It is also a spectacle not to be missed as invited international players face up to those UKPA squads. In addition, as at the Inter Regionals there will be a division for fun teams made up from friends and family across clubs.

.
February 2002

Regional Funding

Last year, changes were agreed by the Regional Reps, in the way UKPA funds would be paid back to the Regions. Basically it was agreed that bids would be invited to be submitted for expenditure directed towards Sports Development. This year the Regional Reps decided to revert to the previous system whereby funds are redistributed to the Regions on a per capita basis. The Regions are obliged to acount for the money, but expenditure is under their control. Under the bidding system, South applied for funds to provide sticks and balls to potential recruits looking to try out the game and for some advertising costs. It is now up to Wayne (and us) to decide what we should best do with our allocation. If you have particular ideas please get in touch.

.
11November2001

Regional Matters

We are members of Southern Region along with Kent Target and Apollo. We hope that we will have two new clubs this year, the Hampshire Mr Men in the Portsmouth area and a new club in the Trowbridge area based around a riding school there.

Wayne Henning of Kent Target continues to be the Regional Representative on the UKPA Executive. Sharon Kennedy, also of Kent is now our Regional Selector, so when the season starts make sure she knows who you are! Clive Nicholls has agreed to be our Regional Chief Umpire.

We are to host the Inter-Regional competition this year. Some of you know that there was a lot of confusion and dissent following the competition last year. There were arguments about the scores and the final result. Because of this, and because the competition, as organised previously, did not provide equal opportunity to all regions, the format will be changed this year. Until this year the scoring system was very complex and very difficult to understand.

This year there will be separate prizes awarded for each of the divisions and scoring will be much simpler. Whether the overal trophy will be awarded is to be decided at a UKPA EGM.

The divisions will be as follows:

  • Open Mixed - a section of Men and a section of Women
  • Intermediate - Under 21s
  • Junior/Primary Junior - a section of each
  • Open Mixed Grade - One section not exceeding 12points, one not exceeding 5 points
  • There will also be training and chukkas on an ad hoc basis for newcomers.

At present there is still a question as to whether the sections will be of 3 players or of 4, allowing for reserves and substitution. This is partly dependent on the availibility of players. It is not clear that we have enough players in all divisions to provide 4 players in each and every section.

It is hoped that by these few changes in the rules offering prizes for each division, we can make the tournament more competitive and attractive to players.

Gerry
11November2001

UKPA AGM Report

Full report to follow soon. In the meantime note that:
  • Gail King was elected unopposed to the position of Sport Development Officer.
  • Gerry Duhig was elected as Membership Secretary of the UKPA (Chris Bradley had resigned and Jan Jenkinson stood for election against Gerry)
  • Andrew Haines was elected as Director of Polocrosse, ousting Chris Schaefer
  • Andrew Schaefer was elected as players' Rep (Noleen stood down, Andrew was up for re-election and beat Shauna Waterer in the election)
  • There was much discussion of the dispute between Midland and North following the Regionals. Call Gerry for details if you really want to know!
  • Sharon Kennedy agreed to be the selector for the Southern Region. She has agreed to take time to get to know players in Westcountry and Apollo.
    Gerry
    10November2001

    New Club forms

    Some members in Northumberland are forming a new Club: Northern Lions. They have created a 2002 Calendar using a number of photos from Richard Birtles. We had investigated this idea and found it to be prohibitively expensive. It turns out that Northern Lions have close links to a printing company and have produced the calendar at very low cost. Calendars are for sale at £5. I have one for inspection
    Sue Charlton
    11November2001

    UKPA Polocrosse Presentation Ball

    Great Fun. The new location was slightly smaller than we are used to and a low ceiling made for a slightly cramped feel, but a good time was had by all. As usual a number of members consumed more ale than was good for them, but as far as I have heard that caused no serious no problems. As usual, the Duhigs, the Howes and the Bezzants camped at a nearby Caravan Site.
    • Chris Schaefer announced the UKPA squads for next year. See Here
    • Mike Goodfellow and Dave Brookes made the other UKPA Presentations see Here
    • Some members in Northumberland are forming a new Club: Northern Lions. They have created a 2002 Calendar using a number of photos from Richard Birtles.
    Gerry

    If you want something included, email it to Gerry