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It is up to the organisers in the end. Ideally we would like our own slot, a lot of the English teams cities travel to each others courts on a regular basis and know each other well, whereas we are doing our own polo and only travel come tournament time- similar to Ireland. I could understand UK wide selection for the Worlds, but for Euros, in all sports, teams are selected from the individual countries. I agree London should have their own allocated slots, as one of the biggest scenes in the world.
For now we have registered and hope to hear back from the organisers soon so we know if we get a wild card or have to do the UK selections. Unless one of the 10 slots already allocated can be a for us and we'll sort ourselves out- selecting a team to go.
In the future, we need this whole thing sorted. -
a lot people feel that Ireland being lumped in with the rest of the UK is pretty insulting, and would like to avoid it at most costs. sure people feel very strongly on the matter. i don't personally care, but there has been talk before of this and the more patriotic of our ranks don't entertain the idea at all.
that said, i'd gladly accept the donation....
we also have properly filled out the pre-reg form now, so with the slight re-allocation of spaces, we shall see if one was made available for us or not. if not, we'll have to figure out the best way for an irish team to qualify for barca.Similarly, Scotland feel the same way. We have registered our intentions, to play in the Euros, with the organisers and hope we are allocated a slot.
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Indeed Pique. Qualification of course, this is not an open. Yip the best teams will play.
Ive read somewhere that having the best teams in Europe will be better for the sport, he/she would be annoyed if a crap team from small town France excluded a brilliant team from Paris = bad for the sport. What is good or bad for the sport? Who can define this? Here is how I look at good for the sport.Please let it be known, I am not looking for an arguement. As an informed outsider, I want to ground some people and get some issues off of my chest that this, somewhat derailed, thread is missing.
Polo is a street sport. It's cool that way, people make their mallet, grab a tin or two, head off to a carpark / court and play with mates / make mates.
My experience is, I went to UKs, scored a goal. That was our aim, we were bouncing, loved it. Went back home, guys were like, "shit boys, you've improved" Next time around we, the same team, and another team, from our scene new to tournaments, do equally as good as each other by winning games, scoring loads and playing well. Return to home scene the whole scene lifts once more.
Look at the roots, the soul of the sport. It is not elitist, it is inclusive of all and by having teams from around Europe is only going to be better for the sport. Let's be professional, it just looks like things are on the cusp of becoming snobby/elitist and losing touch with reality.
Finally,
Regions - obviously some regions deserve more allocated spots than others. So London could still be allocated a good number of places. Im voicing for the rest (and thanks for joining the discussion Hyper - you posted before I could post this -our views seem mighty similar). I want good polo, now and in the future. -
European body. Agreed.
Clearly, the outspoken, people want official polo. European body makes sense, good idea Jono, (if it was you that mentioned that first, I've read most of the thread, but it is a tough read and it sends my head up my arse!) you dont back the UK champs however. An odd stance that I think you should dwell upon and reconsider.
Polo gets official, it becomes this international sport everyone knows and watches and we look back and the first UK champs happened then stopped. Then it is brought back again down the line, which it will, because it is a fucking no brainer! Just let things ride their course and dont make decisions on thoughts, whims and because it seems "slightly dull".No NAs, I agree. Im worried I cant take a team across and Im European. I wouldn't expect to go to the NAs as much as I'd expect Boca Jnrs to play in the Champions league, as cool as it would be (yes, they are SA, but point made).
I dont know about the player thing, all I can think is if someone has a lease or a mortgage in an area, they are from that area. Dont know, not really interested. Dont know where that came from but there must be a very simple solution to that problem.Qualification should be regionalised. Cities, country, cities, country... but no mention of a regionised selection = London + surrounding areas, Ireland, Scotland and Midlands + North England or of something of that ilk.
Logistically it makes sense. Frankly, I am strongly opposed to a UK wide selection process for the follow reason:What I learnt at the London open was that London is something of a Behemouth. Polo is massive, I'd be tempted to move to London to play massive polo, it would be ace, loads of leagues and stuff, it sounds proper good. But I will tell you this, if you think that it is fair for every other team in the UK to have their slots swallowed up by London, then you are very wrong. It seems that the country selection would do that. But it's another no brainer, because all European championships encompass teams selected via the different regions of the UK anyway.
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New Danny vid!
'Way Back Home'
Danny goes from Edinburgh back home to Skye, jumping about in between. Enjoy.
http://www.redbull.co.uk/cs/Satellite/en_UK/Video/danny-macaskill-way-back-home-riding-clip-021242926492302 -
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Thanks to everyone that organised the event for putting on a thoroughly enjoyable tournament; great food and sweet freebies. Thanks also to all that attended for being sound. Always good meeting other polo players.
Finally, thanks to Adam for giving up his bedroom to accommodate the Edinburgh teams, bringing us coffee in the morning and putting up with the Funky Munky pub with us after being ousted from Hermits Cave (for who knows what).
You're Ace fella!See ya all next time.
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Only ever stayed in Kyleakin when me and some others went to do the Beleach ba climb.
The Cuillins is what people go to Skye for, as far as climbing. These mountains are big black rocks, not covered in earth like the rest of the Scottish mountains. Meant to look really impressive.
Needless to say, being a Hebridean island, the weather can and will change in an instant. Dont find yourself caught off guard, be prepared and take the appropriate clothing. You didnt need me to tell you, but I had to say.
We cycled out to Plockton, which is off the island but nearby and it is stunning.
This is the kind of scenery you will be seeing. Ill ask others if they have any recommendations. Enjoy.
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On behalf of the EFG, thanks Adam and co for putting on a superb tournament.
A couple banjoed wheels, hungover Sunday, barby, banter and a goal against the bearded ones are all good memories to take away.
We had a great time playing/watching polo with all you guys and look forward to taking you on again.
Finally, thanks to all that piped up with a chorus of "Edinburgh" - that was f@#cking gallus!
Game on. -
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42/20 (56.2gi) fixed - Dan
32/16 (52.8gi) freewheel - voidcore 700x34
39/20 (52.2gi) fixed - MA3K 700x28
39/20 (52.2gi) freewheel - Cam 700x28/175mm
39/20 (51.6gi) freewheel - hurricanejosh 26x2.3
42/22 (50.0gi) fixed - Crack Fox
42/23 (48.0gi) fixed - tomasito
39/22 (46.8gi) fixed - Shinscar 700x25
32/18 (46.8gi) fixed - moog
36/21 (46.3gi) freewheel - Jono 700x32, 165
34/21 (45.9gi) fixed - Aidan (turd)
40/23 (45.9gi) fixed - teenslain 700x25
37/22 (45.4gi) fixed - GrowUp 700x32
34/19 (44.5gi) freewheeel - prav 26x1.5
32/19 (44.3gi) freewheel - Eingang
34/21 (44.2gi) Fixed - Pip 700x38
33/20 (43.4gi) fixed - bbq tom
33/20 (43.4gi) Freewheel - Mike
33/20 (43.4gi) Freewheel - Ali
30/19 (43.1gi) fixed - horatio 700x38
36/22 (43.0gi) fixed - Mrlemon
36/22 (43.0gi) freewheel - M A X
32/20 (42.8gi) fixed - tigeruppercut 700x28 170mm
34/21 (42.6gi) fixed - playswellwithotters
32/20 (42.1gi) freewheel - emab
32/20 (42.1gi) freewheel - alockett
34/22 (42.0gi) freewheel - snoop
35/22 (41.8gi) fixed-gormley
35/22 (41.8gi) freewheel - sol
35/22 (41.8gi) freewheel - Dr Chan
35/22 (41.8gi) fixed - slamm
34/22 (41.7gi) fixed - Rik
34/22 (41.7gi) freewheel - Todd
28/19 (41.0gi) freewheel - cani
30/20 (40.1gi) freewheel - hassanr
32/21 (40.1gi) fixed - Mat
32/21 (40.1gi) freewheel - gabes 26"
36/24 (39.5gi) freewheel - skoota 700x32
26/18 (38.0gi) freewheel - danwentskiing
22/16 (36.2gi) freewheel - chucklebruv 700x23 -
I dont know if you are envious of Edinburgh's bike culture or just that of Paris, but if you want to come and soak up some atmosphere in the Capital, Edinburgh is hosting the first UK and Irish courier champs on May day and the full weekend. Come on down and have a laugh. Open to all, not just couriers. More details to follow if you are interested.
The selection process should have been regionised from the start. It has been decided, by someone, to be a UK wide selection. There is a lot of people on these isles playing polo, to have 10 slots isn't representative. Scotland is part of the UK, my point is that in all sports competitions: Champions League and the Euros etc, teams come from each individual country that make up the UK. But if the organisers allocate 10 to the UK, we can only go for that.