Beginners Polo

i think Ben is sorting out a NE beginners at London Fields this Friday.

Surely not friday, don't think there are lights yet at london fields

that was the plan. polo by head torch?

I'm totally up for polo by headlight.

and by rum.

There are lights, they don't appear to be working yet (or at least they haven't been booked yet). I imagine they will be managed by GLL who are not playing ball with us at the moment...

Getting loads of people to show up at LF and bring torches/lights/etc, could be awesome. You could hand out flyers, get loads of new players and a regular thing going, etc.

Why not ask Knog/Blackburn to provide the lights as a mini campaign idea, you never know...

I've got a new rule for beginners, every time you score you've got to take a shot.

Would even everyone out.

Doubles for goals, singles for the assist.

Oh and jono's idea is awesome... Would be cheap for the companies I'm sure they'd love it...

We get to bitch about the council being shit (well outsourcing), something local papers lap up.

Note, the council is not being shit (well, maybe in using GLL, I have no knowledge of that). GLL are acting on their own behalf and seem to have the weight/clout to push back against the local authority.

The lights thing could go down a treat, keep it optimistic though... "local bike polo players find a way to play through the winter" (or something). The main aim being to encourage new players/start a regular NE Beginners group, promote the LF court (and cycling in Hackney) and raise awareness of hardcourt bike polo?

I have the local paper's details and sponsor contacts, just need the volunteers/organisers...

See tag number one below.

So you'll do it?

Yes, if you do publicity, keep it positive. Having a go at the Council would be completely counter-productive, and also unjustified, as they are very supportive. The Cabinet member responsible for this is currently looking into fitting timers, having apparently previously negotiated the lower rate, which GLL now no longer want to offer, as apparently other sports have to pay more. That's fair enough if true, as it should be a lower rate for everybody. Obviously, there's no telling at this stage how long this process will take, but it's worth being patient right now and continue talking to them. If you make the working relationship with them tetchy, it'll make everything more difficult in the future.

^ This, thanks Oliver.

Going to london fields and playing by torch light in an attempt to get new players into the sport sounds like a pretty shit idea imo.

Why not get there early(9am) saturday morning and setup a little session? Surely this is a much more enjoyable experience for new players?

bbq with bacon, flasks of coffee etc sound like a much better idea to get people interested

Notice fellow yung'uns, the loaner is skipping tomorrow's session, unless someone is willing to collect it from peckham at 5 and take it home with them.. But if you are interested in doing that pm or somesuch.
Oh also bbq, coffee and polo sounds feckin marvellous.
If it was to be at night, and depending on how the council feels about fire hazards, we could pour petrol around the edge of the court, set it alight and play with a flaming ball and blazing mallets.. Or even BLAZING SADDLES!
Feel free to use this idea.

Friday NE beginners was put forward as it is the only day of the week where polo does not usually happen in London (that's a brilliant headache to have, not complaining).

There are about 4 beginners who are willing to sacrifice their Fridays to aid this session but since the lights are not yet on, I guess Saturday morning would be the best slot for now until we get a definate arrangement with the council on lights.

Sorry to keep the discussion off the forum, prefer speaking to people in person to gauge response and interest rather on the web where messages often get misinterprated. If all goes well, it might be this coming Saturday (highly probable) or Friday if the lights get sorted by then (unlikely).

Hi guys, following this NE beginners discussion. I have no idea about what's going on or what has to be done to get this going. But if you need a volunteer for doing ... what? I could. I live just 5mins away from the Fields.
Re the day/time: Maybe you guys also ask the people who are interested? I generally prefer weekday evenings, but if there's only light during the day, Sat morning could also work for me, maybe not all the time.
But as I said... I have no idea ;)

If you do it this saturday I might pop down to help out for a few hours.

Same, happy to play London Fields.

Until you have lights you'll have to do it at the weekend.

By coincidence, Saturday will not only be the first NE beginners, but also my birthday. I plan on polo'ing and getting lightly intoxicated.

What's all this 9am nonsense? And Sandy, by bacon I'm sure you meant veggie burgers. Typo.

Fire up a list.

Hey beginners. Peckham Alumni 2011 The Pickled Onion are playing a league game tonight at newington. If you'd like to see some good polo action and get some shuffles after then come along.
Games start at 1930.

Right, who's in for polo at peckham tonight? As pickled onion are playing that's 3 that can't make it, will we have 6? I need to know as a guy yesterday asked asbout polo and may be coming down to peckham whatever, it would be pretty harsh to have him turn up on his own.

1. CowHen
   

Looks like no-ones going then, I really can't be bothered to go down there if we don't have enough for a game.

------------Peckham polo tonight is OFF.-------------------