Big ring polo (EPO Polo, Srs Bsns)

It was not my intention to refer to Joe in person, that was just a convenient dig at him (insert winky) it's what happened with intermediate polo when peeps who never tried it and not part of it decides that it is a bad idea and kill it without speaking to those who are actually part of it.

I would gladly dig out the posts to prove this and await a response from those who claim that this did not happen.

i think thats wack to be honest. You cant take a bit of shit talking from Joe?

Don't get me wrong, fun guaranteed but serious fun, not casual fun. Nothing rejectionist (I think my concern above based on my experience with intermediates is though) about this as I already said I value commitment over all other aspect of one's game and any players are welcomed for as long as they commit to it and I do accept constructive feedback (like yours).

As to why I think this is a good idea: I spend a lot of time talking to peeps from all level of game about what they think about polo, I still run beginners (although it's pretty dead in the past month or so, it's the festivities, usual dip year in year out) so I am not in touch and I do talk to quite a few top players on a regular basis hence based on those discussions/chats I do think sessions like this would improve the standard of London (and UK bike polo, out of towners welcomed as per my OP).

The game has improved a lot in the past 24 months or so. The same logic as for when we started intermediates - there are beginners' sessions, why can't there be an intermediate session and for now a high octane session?

Top level players can still go to beginners' but yeah, play within the expectations/unwritten rules, don't sandbag all the time, once in a while during the session to get a point across is ok. Coach the players, try out some crazy skills (not always show boating, again, once in a while to get a point across is ok) and inspire the beginners to get better. Sounds right no?

The same rules apply if a beginner decides to get involved in a high octane game - manage your expectations, come with a mindset that you are here to learn, you will get schooled, people will bark orders at you, you might get some stick, BUT you will bloody get a good insight into what competitive polo is. If you are worried that someone would dick you about in an unfair manner, the ref is there for a reason, yeah the ref could miss a call or two, but they are human and human do make mistakes.

Id love to go to high octane nights that are just about improving the standard of polo and playing hard but if its coupled with a complete rejection of any other fun and all that purposefully rejectionist bollocks then your just lame, humourless and elitist and that is the very opposite of what polo should be about.