Newcastle Polo

dont think you will have any luck tonight, supposed to be raining sunday to :(

A question from the UKHBPA: does anyone have strong feelings about whether Ireland should be included in the UK Championships? No other non-UK teams would be allowed.

I think they should have their own national championships, unless they have asked to merge and make a UK & Ireland HCBPA and Championships? If not it would be impractical to have them as visitors because they would be taking places and/or matches away from competing teams.

They are currently invited to be part of the UKHBPA. I think the issue comes down to a desire to grow the sport and give them a chance to play as they do not have enough teams for their own championships. They wouldn't be considered visitors. I agree with you though. There are also plenty of National Series and other tournaments. I suspect the Nationals will have enough capacity for everyone to play (although it's not confirmed yet what the format will be) so it's not a case of them "coming over here and stealing our games etc."

Also... who wants to be Newcastle rep after I leave?

Yes, I see now...well if they don't have enough people for their own championships and want to join then it should become the "UK & Ireland Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships" and UK&EI HCBPA too. It would be reactionary to make them just come under the UK banner as Ireland is a separate country (Up The Rebels! Brits Out! etc...).

That would be great if they think it will help develop the sport.

I can be the Newcastle representative, unless anyone else is eager? @Oliver/John

S'up, less than 2 weeks until shite so I should probably start doing stuff, can you give me an idea of numbers so I can do formatting and let me know if people want to stay over so I can sort beds. Thanking you.

is anyone playing tomorrow?

Rob - As far as I know, there will be two Newcastle teams but nobody is planning to stay over.

Steve - Yes, I'll be there by 1pm. Caine's In, Oliver's Out. Anyone else?

Also, there's now a Washington (Mackem not Yankee) bike polo team on the go! :D

...and i hope everyone has seen this: http://www.facebook.com/events/319240108148383/

Awesome, any details you're after? Still finalising stuff but it'll be here. Not sure on starting time yet, will see what the Scots are doing with travel 1st.

Nice one. The court looks swish and I do hope one of your teams will be called The Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse Librarians

I'll suggest it for one of the new teams, not quite vulgar enough for a usual manc name though.

I'll be there at 1 today unless it's pissing down.

I reckon the threat of weather is gonna keep me away today. Sorry...

About 1.30 for me i reckon

hmmmmm the rain has started down the coast, no way im coming out in this..........its lashing down

Raining - i'm heading back to my warm dry flat

At the court. The weather's glorious. No one else here though so heading home.

Lucky I caught Matt just before he'd gone home! Shame there was only us two though.

Can anyone play Wednesday between 5:30pm and 8:30pm?

might be able to make an appearance wed, i really need to get some practice in before Manchester, ill let you know if i can get there.

Don't practice too much.

We're all eating mallets for breakfast nowadays Rob. I hope you're ready.

Smoking Nuns is now confirmed as Lookah Skywalker, Oliver Beck Hansen and Big Ed. Is the Steve/Nigel/John team all sorted too?

Is the Steve/Nigel/John team all sorted too?

That's not a team, it's just the names of three people who've never played polo together before......

... you've got a point there john ... but it'll be fun no?

There's no denying it'll be fun, Nige, but I just felt a point had to be made ;)

There will be no fun.