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A long list of 'thanks'.... (I am sorry if I have forgotten someone, there were many awesome people doing awesome things)
Thank you LPC - Seeing this event come to successful fruition made me so proud to be part of the LPC. I've been part of /have had experience of 'polo Luddism' within communities where there is immense resistance to organisation, rules, refs, new ideas or changing established protocol. I am continually inspired by London and its agenda to move forward and support one another. You were enthusiastic from day one, and made us feel like it was a worthwhile endevour.
Thank you London ladies and gents for making this event happen. Anyone who subscribed to our google group will realise how much collaboration, support and enthusiasm has been circulated among the girls for the last few months. All were involved in a meaningful way, and I'm trying to thank everyone individually for what their contribution meant to me.
Nik, you were unbelievably resourceful during the organisation; the immense support received from our sponsors is attributable to your people skills, charm and some kind of money hustlin' magic. As someone that I continually ran ideas past, you were also completely supportive and reassuring. During the lead up, and the actual event, you were the queen of logistics. You made decisions quickly and intelligently, and it never ceased to amaze me how practical you were about the 'epic wood cataclysm', which to you was just a minor stumbling block that we would always resolve. Friday was in particular a testament to this. You had the steely resolve that I did not (flashback to me calling Jack to tell him I had ruined the entire event because the wood had turned up uncut, and I had bought the wrong sized nets).
Adrienne - I drunkenly told you that you are the wind beneath my wings/my rock on Sunday eve, and I stand by that remark. I emailed you probably 1000 times over the last few months. Your advice was ever sage - when I thought I had 'singly handedly ruined the tournament' when I mixed up two sponsor contracts, you came up with a practical plan to dissipate the damage. In real terms of tournament organisation, however, you were absolutely key. You branded an entire tournament and took on task after task as we drew closer to the event. The tshirt stitch up was amazing - they looked bloody awesome.
Julia - Miss Congeniality. You dealt with so many player emails; sorted out housing; match making etc and were the queen of spreadsheets. You established awesome networks with people, and made them feel like they were coming to an awesomely friendly tournament. Even whilst in Japan you texted me updates and kept up with all the paperwork. Wish you could have played in the tournament, but it was fantastic having you there. You were there bright and early every morning helping set up, and stayed late in the eves to tear down. Chapeau!
Joni - I am so glad you are still here, and were involved in this tournament. Two weeks tripping around Europe, back the evening before the tourney and still one of the first on site to get completely stuck in with all the setting up. Thank you for all the little things too - the blogging, banner sourcing, prize hunting and prize naming skillz (pretty sure you came up with the megacreep category among others).
Margz - Ever sunny and enthusiastic about the event - as well as Joni, you were caining the gazebo assembling and set up on the weekend. You always offered your help where you could and solutions to tricky problems.
Vi - We left you offer the listserv for too long! I tried everyday to get you on that blasted thing, and when I finally did, you were 100% on board. You were a huge help in securing a big sponsor, helped to fulfill Bill's unwieldy list of unreasonable requests, sourced a wood solution (sorry we didn't use it in the end) and were a star photographer on the day. Thank you for your hilarity and fun during the event. "Is this, this?". Ha, you really make me smile.
Helen - Queen of the Goals. Friday afternoon I realised that we had to call the whole event off because the nets I bought didn't fit the goal. What a disaster, they were inches from the top of the poles, and inevitably everyone would deem the event a failure... Until you rang the door bell! "Why don't we just stitch them with this extra net you have, Erin". I was dubious, it all seemed too simple.. I was convinced after you pointed out we could not only use zip ties, but we could colour coordinate them too. The feat was successfully achieved, a stitch in time, etc etc. This really sticks out in my mind, but there were many other things you did that were invaluable.
Zoe - The sponsorship pack you designed and wrote with Nik was instrumental in securing some big sponsors for this tournament. Thank you for your hard work (and day off work) in putting this together. Thank you for all the printing/laminating you did for the tourney; and for your epic help on Friday. Carrying eight by fours isn't so fun, but you made everyone laugh and smile throughout. You also talked me down from multiple proverbial ledges, by continually reassuring me that there was no way that things wouldn't get done.
Jono - Guardian of Tournament Knowledge. You were probably the most dedicated listserv subscriber, offered practical advice, sourced contacts for us, provided information about logistics, sponsorship, player legality, insurance, and so on. Your advice and support was completely invaluable, and helped us to set a benchmark, and reach it. Plus you drove me to and from the Orwell to pick up all the tournament equipment, and made everyone breakfast and bbq food all weekend. Thanks for not hating me for 'perpetuating tournament organisation in [your] life' (paraphrasing here).
John H - You ran our tournament, and for that we praise you. It felt like I got to attend Hell's Belles, not organise it. I don't think I could have played as hard if it were me worrying out all the scheduling, team lists, dramas etc. Thank you, thank you thank you.
Ryan – You donated your time for the best MVF prize ever. I don’t think we can thank you enough. One of the biggest helps all tournament was the loan of your workshop floor (thanks Alxs for this too). This saved us a logistical headache, and the rental of a van. It was hugely generous of you to lend out the space to us, super cool.
Eggie - you are an LPC bulwark/work horse and so on. You're amazingly dedicated and were right behind the tournament all the time. The gate keeper of the polo boombox is a tough job, but it's always a highlight for me when you turn up with it blasting music.. Thank you thank you thank you. (No thanks for losing me 10quid on the clock bet..)
Bill - Head ref, problem solver, instigator of hilarity (laughing with, not at). Thank you for taking reffing seriously, and for demanding laminated rules, extra clipboards, whistles etc (I am sorry they sucked).
Beagle - You allegedly carried 3 pots of hot curry 3miles in a laundry bag, and for this I salute you. Even if it is untrue, thank you so much for feeding the masses. And you assembled our courts! You're awesome.. Thank you so much for your help.
Alejandro - saved the day and cut all our wood for us... Even if he scared me to death with his 'laxadaisical' sawing techniques, Ale was amazing.
Booze Hound – Thank you for your help tearing down the site both evenings; ‘three at a time’ hilarity; and for your entertaining rendition of the pint glass incident outside the Libertine..
THE EPIC WHIPS - Elaine and Claire, you were amazing. You gave up your whole weekend to come down early to yell at us all, and you contributed a great vibe to the tourney. I totally agree with Mrak that whips deserve one of the biggest thanks in a tournament, because it's a job that is near impossible to do as an organiser, or player. Well done girls.
Jono, Brendan (and thanks for the drill too!), Cam, Josh, Julia, Ben and the other refs who may or may not exist - controversy never leads to fun, clarity and fairness do. Thanks for you for your dedication to reffing all weekend.
Kev - thank you for having a great girlfriend. Ms Chris was amazing. She quietly did things that needed doing, and the only way anyone ever noticed was to follow her into the shadows to spy on her as she tirelessly collected garbage, moved fences, wrenched fences together, and so on. Amazing help all weekend.
Lori and Joe - Cooking and laminating extraordinaires. Thank you laminating the rules Joe, it was a big help and there was no way I was going to do it for Bill... (hehehe). Thank you for allowing me to have guests in our house, stuff everywhere, waking you up in the morning to carry (drop) the bbq down the stairs, stain the carpet with oil and so on. In short, thanks for putting up with me.
Mark – Gave awesome advice about scheduling, but best of all hung out on the kerb with me and Mikey whilst the Orwell opened. Then bought me a pint. You are also the wind beneath my wings.
Alexis – street van rental, cargo bike lending, tearing down the site, then getting up early to pack up Ryan’s workshop.
Prav – Thank you so much for running the pot luck with Helen and Zoe.
Bobby Hoops - Best trophies ever. And those little key rings - key! Thank you for your sundays in the workshop (epic hangovers) making them for us.
Therese - Those cookies were amazing. 'Nuff said x
Trevor – Thank you for giving your koozie to me and not Joe.
Chan - can't wait to see your footage, you're a star.
Rich - Thank you for bringing Leah, looking after her, and finding her somewhere to stay. I am sure she had a wonderful time. How cool of you to come to a tournament you weren't playing in, bring a minor, and leave the pub early so she could get to bed early. You rock!
Thanks UK and European non players for coming! (Josh, Harvey, Adam, Hannes, Quentin, and so on)
Thank you all who housed players. I hope people were courteous and cool and you got to make some new friends.
To all our international guests; come back soon!
Most of all, thank you Tornadoes. Jo and Nik played out of their skins and I was so proud to be on their team.
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Thank you guy! this woman tourney was a full succes!
I've crushed on Bidou, he was so perturbing
I would have seen Tornedos on final
Mo, you re so cool
One other time this polo weekend make me feel alive, wildy!
Go Polo Bears! (next time she will beat you matafaka!)
See you soon over channel! -
Tornado goal?
Erin scoring on seabass.
It's all been said, but what an amazing tourney, organisation, atmosphere, watching tornadoes and shotguns play, the food, Lori's pasta, loos that could be used both days...thank you so much London!
And the men in drag - when I first saw Bidou I really wanted to meet that glamourous woman!
Can't wait for next year! xx
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Ha, and watching Brendan practice great restraint on court was pretty good too 'must not take ball, must stay in goal'.
The best bit was PomPom and him desperately trying not to cross half-way in the game that their teams contested...
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any more mens left?? i'm super gutted i missed one!
I have a mens size small that is way too big for me. It's fits more like a medium. I'm kinda bummed, as I really liked the design. You're welcome to it if you want, as I will never wear it.
Only been taken out of the packaging to try on. -
I have a mens size small that is way too big for me. It's fits more like a medium. I'm kinda bummed, as I really liked the design. You're welcome to it if you want, as I will never wear it.
Only been taken out of the packaging to try on.Can I have it if Cohen doesn't want it? I was meant to buy 2, 1 for me and 1 for my "gentleman friend" (he specifically told me I have to introduce him as such from now!! ), but... erm... I just forgot his...
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more pictures here http://www.flickr.com/photos/violetaberal/sets/72157627812488059/
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ExTra
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About
Tourney: Hell's Belles, vol. 1 - 15-16.10.2011
Posted by
@nny
Tornado goal?