Our Bayleys high-goal and NZ U21 side both had convincing wins over Australia and Young England respectively on another fantastic International Day at Kihikihi.

The Young England tour was a high light for me with the initiatives of Gordon Gibson and David Cowley continuing to help ensure a bright future for our polo.

Congratulations to our U21 side, and their coach and manager for their well earned series win, and while the team individuals obviously played well, it was rewarding to note the growth in maturity of these fine young guys.

Another highlight was the Bayleys Savile Cup, after which having been capped at 14 goals and generating some serious public apprehension, turned out highly successful with 8 evenly matched teams competing. I think we should applaud our resident and visiting high-goal players for their support in providing the opportunity to a lot of our promising youngsters to play with them in this most prestigious tournament. I think the benefits of which were obvious to most by the end of the week. A true reflection you might say was the awarding of the "Outstanding player of the Tournament" after an inspired final, to Michael Henderson, a young player on then, a mere 2 goal handicap.

I look forward to seeing 8 Savile teams in the near future on 18 plus goals again.

A 15 goal team from Zambia toured late in the season and although well beaten by their NZ counterparts in the test and by the South Island, by all accounts thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Commiserations must go to Richard Hunt and Hawkes Bay for all their preparation to ensure a successful test weekend only to fall foul of the weather at the last minute, but thanks to Rangitikei and the McKelvies, the show was able to continue at short notice.

Our Treasurer, secretary and myself visited Christchurch over Easter for the Wilson Cup and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the South Island polo fraternity and regret not visiting more often. It was great to see some South Island polo and get a better understanding of some of the problems they have to overcome. The support the Christchurch club have from their A&P Association and City Council in acquiring suitable land for polo fields is to be envied.

Another highlight was attending the return test against Australia at Windsor. Although beaten on the day by a full strength Australian team we still impressed, and the emergence of Sam Hopkinson as a promising international player was very pleasing. Thanks must go to Paul Kay and especially to Tommy and Cody for their enthusiasm, management and hard work to make the tour happen. The many compliments from the Australian polo public to me of the NZ team, their horsemanship and ambassadorship made Jo and me very proud to be New Zealanders.

Possibly the biggest news of the season was the FIP awarding NZ the Zone D finals for the World 14 Goal championships in Auckland in 2007. We have never before had the opportunity to showcase polo in this manner, not only to the NZ public but also to the wider world of some very influential polo people. We all know that it will be a huge task to organise and manage successfully butI have absolute confidence in the ability of Chris Jones and his steering committee of Paul Kay and Tony Van den Brink to do so. We are going to depend on the generosity of all players for ponies to make this happen and the expertise of many others. It will be done the NZ way, unique to the rest of the world and I again emphasise that it will not be successful without the enthusiasm and real support from you all. Probably an opportune time to mention Trevor Hughes and the Ambassador's Club in appreciation for their often unsung support in a variety of ways of NZ Polo and I believe that their role in the ensuing FIP campaign will be invaluable.

Time for a few thankyous and starting with my management team - a huge thanks to Vice-President Paul Kay and Treasurer David Edgar for their unstinting dedication to polo generally, as well as their confidence, support, counsel and friendship. Thanks to John Lane in his role of Director of Umpiring - often a thankless task but vital to the progress of our polo. It is great to have someone you know is just going to get on with it and do it well.

To Gordon Gibson we all owe thanks to him for his passion for and success with the U21s and SUPA polo, and major factor, I believe, in securing a future for NZ polo.

Thankyou to John Monckton and his team of NZ selectors Cody Forsyth and Alan Calder - a job a few years ago that did not involve much, but in recent times with international matches, coaching clinics and colts tours, things have been full on and I appreciate the effort you selectors have made.

Thanks to Kevin Gray our handicapping convenor for his horse management duties for touring teams through the north.

Thanks to Kevin Loe and his past and present South Island team of Bryan Burrows and Roddy Wood , and of course Philipa Charlesworth -they have to manage an almost completely separate entity. I have always been impressed with their proactive methods in ensuring South Island polo players keeping some sort of parity with many of the advantages that their North Island counter parts take for granted. Thanks to Richard Hunt, not only for his formidable presence around the board table which always guaranteed humorous and lively debate, but also for his just plain hard work for HB Polo and countless Dewar Cups and touring teams.

I would also like to thank Rob Willis who will not be on management this year.

Rob did well as Director of Coaching last season in establishing a formal NZPA coaching clinic in partnership with Mystery Creek. Thanks, also, to John Monckton, also not on Management this year. Thank you John, for your efforts with Bayleys sponsorship. A major task.

The contribution of Hamish Ormond, the new boy on the block, was much appreciated. Although not technically on management, Dione Jones, but still really 'on the team', thanks for her never ending dedication to rules and rule books and polo in general.

To Diane my trusty secretary with the fantastic legs, charm, cutting wit and ruthless efficiency, all the necessary attributes of a great PA - it has been a pleasure working with you. Jo as well as I sincerely thanks you for that extra mile you have gone to make our responsibilities a breeze.

And of course without the unobtrusive support of my wife Jo I would not have been here.

Three years have gone in a flash and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the experience which reflects well on all the wonderful people I have worked with and those in the wider polo fraternity, many of whom have become good friends including past Presidents whom, when asked, have been only too willing to advise. I wish the incoming President and his team well - they do not need good luck but will need commitment to the job at hand and remain focused on the association's primary object of encouraging polo in NZ. I have absolute confidence that they will be able to take NZ polo to the next level.

John Sherratt
6 October 2005

New Zealand Polo will, once again, be running the Intensive Coaching Seminar mid-February 2006.

New Zealand Selectors will select a squad of approximately 12 players which will form the basis for the New Zealand Team (14 Goal) to play the F.I.P. Zone Play Offs in February 2007.

Clubs wishing to nominate must have names to the NZ Polo Secretary by 1st January 2006.

NZ Polo is committed to hosting this prestigious international Tournament, convinced that it provides huge opportunity for:

1. Our players
   1. Aiming to make the team
   2. Representing their country
   3. Further their careers
   4. Increased opportunity for future generations to play in NZ.

2. Raising the profile of polo with sponsors, public and media.

3. Promotion of the NZ Polo Pony.

4. International exposure for NZ Polo.

5. The host club to upgrade/enhance their facilities.

6. The implementation of improved management practices.

posted: December 1, 2005

John Lane

I am sorry to report that not a lot was achieved this year. I had hoped to have had all players sit the C grade Test, this didn't happen because the new rule book wasn't out until just before Christmas and I was also away for five weeks in the early part of the season.

Plans are now being set in place for the C grade test to be held around the clubs in the early part of the next season.

A lot of work has to be done to try to improve the overall standard of Umpiring in New Zealand. For this to happen the players themselves as Umpires need to make a better effort at -

1. Making sure that they know and understand the rules
2. Being consistent
3. Keeping up with play and knowing where an Umpire should be positioned on the field.

Some players also need to look at the way they conduct themselves on the field. Umpires don't get it right all the time but they should be shown respect.

Selection of Umpires for games at Tournaments needs to take a lot of thought and planning, getting the mix right is very important.

Thanks to Baden Broughton and Aaron Vowles for their input throughout the season.