UK Polo Champs 2013 Discussion

Let's get the ball rolling.

Are there any bids or rumours from cities?
Potential for 3rd party locations (e.g. Butlins, Pontins, Centre Parks e.t.c.)?
UKBPA?
Funding/Finance?
Volunteers?

(let's try and keep discussion on euro qualifiers separate)

Well,the obvious location would seem to be Bristol.

I guess that's up to them, though.

Why is it obvious H-bomb?

You ask too many questions, Andy...

Because they have the best courts in the UK (so I hear, I haven't had a chance to see them yet).

Two ready built courts, large, with shoulder height boards, lights until 11pm, sports centre facilities.

From the sound of it it's the perfect tournament location, and fairly cheap to hire.

Sourcing somewhere that is accessible outside of one of the polo cities could be great Idea to drum up interest from non-polo areas. We could then all add funds, materials and support, possibly with a group of players from each scene volunteering to 'run' it officially.

Potential for 3rd party locations (e.g. Butlins, Pontins, Centre Parks e.t.c.)?
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That would be awesome, but a location like that would work better as a mid-week 'polo retreat' type thing I reckon.

Bristol's courts are great to play on, but watching through the thick cage isn't great. The 'UK champs' tag has great potential to attract sponsors and spectators so it would be a shame to waste that aspect of it.

I'd say the quality of the court should be the most important factor, but I appreciate your point.

Either way, they might not want to host it.

Either way, they might not want to host it.

Yeah it might be a bit much to do the Bristol Open, Euros and the UK Champs...

The court is pretty nice. The boards are excellent.

Bristol courts are nice and big, but it's not the best surface IMO.

I think we need to be realistic. Sponsors and funds are thin on the ground already. A polo scene with two ready to play on courts and a local community to help logistically in the run up is all that is needed for the UK Champs. From what I've seen and heard, Bristol's courts sound perfect but it's up to them if they want to host it. Also, there is the fact that Bristol is the only city that has been mentioned in the Euros 2013 bids...

There was also never a solid conclusion to the discussion about whether the UK Champs and Euro Qualifiers should be separate or not.

Regarding the UKHBPA, I amending the constitution as it existed previously. If people were to come forward again, at least there is a foundation to work from. Really, in our position now we should have an association but I guess that is a wider discussion. Anyway, here to help if needed!

ZOMG centre parcs would be sooooooo dope! has to happen

brizzle as they sound pretty good ready made courts if they wanted to bid for it. Although if people want to do something super duper crazy location then fair enough but i see it being a lot of work for some lucky people. Is there a group of people that feel lucky?

I think we need to be realistic. Sponsors and funds are thin on the ground already. A polo scene with two ready to play on courts and a local community to help logistically in the run up is all that is needed for the UK Champs. From what I've seen and heard, Bristol's courts sound perfect but it's up to them if they want to host it. Also, there is the fact that Bristol is the only city that has been mentioned in the Euros 2013 bids...
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i really don't think the two courts is good enough for the euros..it only been mentioned as far as i'm aware by h bomb i think it would be silly to do it. But two ready made courts is perfect for the uk champs. Plus bristol would be a great wkend.

Bristol give us your thoughts?

Bristol courts are nice and big, but it's not the best surface IMO.

Really? Ok, that changes things.

ZOMG centre parcs would be sooooooo dope! has to happen

Word. Rubber dinghy rapids!

Will we vote on whether the UK champs will be the Euro Qualifier?

I'd say there is no point making that decision, until we know what the qualifying format for the Euros is.

Then there are things like timings which may affect that decision.

Bristol courts are nice and big, but it's not the best surface IMO.

I thought the surface was really good when I played last night. could do with a sweep but apart from that it's great. Smooth, flat, no moss, just a small amount of much right at the edge which could easily be cleaned up.

Better than the LO surface. As good as the Brum courts used in the champs

I thought the surface was really good when I played last night. could do with a sweep but apart from that it's great. Smooth, flat, no moss, just a small amount of much right at the edge which could easily be cleaned up.

Better than the LO surface. As good as the Brum courts used in the champs

how does it compare to brighton surface or hackney downs?

There was also never a solid conclusion to the discussion about whether the UK Champs and Euro Qualifiers should be separate or not.

I meant just the discussion about UK Champs separate from the discussion about Euro Qauli, not the process. Essentially this...

I'd say there is no point making that decision, until we know what the qualifying format for the Euros is.

Then there are things like timings which may affect that decision.

^^ Not been to brighton so can't comment. Not as perfect as hackney downs.

That would be awesome, but a location like that would work better as a 'polo retreat' type thing I reckon.

I would probably go back on what i said before and agree with this..

It would depend however on whether we decided the UK champs was to be used as a way to generate more interest in polo or is it more important to just run a limited frills logistically sound tournament?

I think the answer is obvious, however it could be both with the right location.

whohowa! i Think we may all be getting a little ahead of ourselves talking about Euro's (yet)! What we have in bristol is Brilliant, 2 big courts with nice sides, good surface (surprised some people are saying it's perfect though - similar to birmingham) which is great and huge thanks must go to Ady for sorting it all out.nPutting on a big event such as the UK champs requires a huge amount of effort and organisation, Lets not just assume Bristol can host as someone needs to step up and most people are already super busy (i won't be in the country so can't take responsibility personally) Obviously it'd be sweet if we can make it work and we'll have chat next time we play of course .

Putting on a big event such as the UK champs requires a huge amount of effort and organisation

I don't think it has to though. If you look at somewhere like Newington, or the Cambridge Warehouse, where the courts are ready to go, it's pretty easy to put on a tournament.

Player fees will cover the court hire, no need for sponsors, you'd just need to sort out some places for people to sleep (the cheap hotel thing in Birmingham was ok for most people, or find a camping site), turn up on the day with a few gazebos, and you're good to go. Anything more than that is an optional extra.

But of course, it still needs you guys to want to do it.