DEVELOPMENT POLO
A GAME FOR ALL
In a bid to make the sport more accessible to all , the South African Polo Association has implemented a multi-pronged development strategy .
Poloafrica scholars after chukkas , with their coach , Gavin Chaplin .
olo in South Africa is a relatively minor sport in comparison to other codes but it ’ s also an extremely expensive one . With this in mind , the South African Polo Association ( SAPA ) supports the need for a development programme and is complying with the Government Transformation Charter .
However , in 2012 , the tragic death of the talented national player Sbu Duma exposed a weakness in SAPA ’ s Development Programme . It showed too much was centred on one player . As a result , SAPA adopted a seven-pronged development strategy in 2014 with the aim to increase accessibility and upskill previously disadvantaged individuals .
1Fast track a development player into the national team . SAPA will invite members to submit applications of prospective development players with sufficient polo talent to take part in a transformation programme . SAPA will select a group of players based on their present education levels and polo skills to participate in tournaments under the mentorship of their employers and appointed SAPA coaches .
To date , SAPA has enrolled two players of colour with the skills to achieve potentially higher honours . Pah Mokwena and Jabulane Khanyile , both currently rated off a 2-goal handicap , have shown considerable improvement and an aptitude for the game beyond their years .
Target schools to
2 recognise polo as an official sport and afford children the time to participate in polo events , including SA Schools tours abroad . For the past two years a South African Schools team has participated in China against top polo playing nations . Unfortunately exposure to international teams is still limited and remains a priority for SAPA .
3Target wealthy black entrepreneurs to take up polo using a focused and aggressive marketing campaign .
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Market polo to black riding schools ( such as the Soweto Riding School and Pony Club of South Africa ) to encourage aspirant students and riders to play . Participants exhibiting sufficient skills could be invited to take part in the fast-track programme .
5To increase accessibility and improve the skill capacities of individuals , SAPA will embark on introducing courses to empower previously disadvantaged individuals in grooming and horse care , farrier and coaching courses , veterinary healthcare and polo administration . Two workshops are planned to take place towards the end of the year .
6Channel funds into the Poloafrica Development Trust . Poloafrica is a grass-roots development programme whose beneficiaries are economically disadvantaged adults and children . The programme is unique in Africa and has been running for more than 10 years . It gives adults the opportunity to participate in equestrian sporting activities , especially polo , in a professional manner . Children are given the chance to learn to ride and play the game , providing they demonstrate discipline and commitment to the animal and the sport , work hard at school and at the life skills lessons provided in the holidays . Funding for this wonderful initiative continues to be a challenge and SAPA will again be assisting certain projects during its 2016 fiscal year .
The ‘ Poloafrica Matrics ’ team will participate in the curtain-raiser match against a Johannesburg-based development team prior to the international match against Uruguay at the Waterfall Polo Estate .
Aside from polo coaching and tournaments , SAPA would like to provide some of the Poloafrica matric students the opportunity of work experience on a polo estate abroad .
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Finally , SAPA has also responded to several requests from individual players for assistance with development players who either groom or play for them . ■
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