THE 10TH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLOCROSSE COUNCIL
[SinglePic not found]Wednesday 15th July 2009 at 9.30am
Ashfields Polocrosse Club, Great Canfield, Dunmow, Essex UK
1. Registration of Delegates:
PRESENT:
President: Wessel Strauss
Australia: Gill Mathie, Peter Crauford, Stewart Neal
Ireland: Thomas O’Malley, Richard Nolan
New Zealand: Ken Malcolm, Robin Cave, Alistair Cummings (proxy)
South Africa: Patrick O’Sullivan
United Kingdom: Dave Brookes, Penny Webb, Wayne Henning
United States of America: John Jameson, Amy Keith, Kiki Pantaze (proxy)
Zambia: Andrew Daniels
Holland (associate member) Fleur Bartels, Mijndert Heineke
Norway (associate member) Lykke Bech Daugaard, Amund Brede Svendsen
(above – official delegates)
Secretary/Treasurer: Odette Neumann
APOLOGIES: Anthony Barker (Zambia), Louis Swart (SA), Zimbabwe & Canada.
2. A Minutes Silence for the Late Mr Max Walters AM, MBE, ESM
Peter Crauford addressed the meeting and spoke about Max’s lifelong dedication to polocrosse and that he had also been the foundation and long time President of the IPC.
3. Minutes of the 9th Council Meeting held on 30th April 2007
The Minutes were sent to each member country following that meeting (12/6/2007) and again with agenda notice on 15th May 2009.
MOTION: That the Minutes be taken as read and confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
MOVED: K. Malcolm Seconded: P. Crauford CARRIED
MEETING ARRANGEMENTS:
MOTION: That the IPC pay for the morning tea and lunch for the delegates.
MOVED: P. Crauford Seconded: D. Brookes CARRIED
4. Business arising from the Minutes
Nil
5. Reports from National Associations
Brief verbal reports were given by a delegate from each country present.
USA drew attention to the following website: www.horsetv.com
6. Financial Report
A Statement of income and expenditure prepared by the Treasurer.
MOTION: That the Statement of Income and Expenditure covering the period 1st January 2007 to 30th June 2009 prepared by the Treasurer be approved and confirmed as a true record.
MOVED: K. Malcolm Seconded: P. Crauford CARRIED
7. President’s Report
Dear Members
Firstly a word of welcome to all attending. Those attending for the first time I trust that your input will benefit world Polocrosse. Thanks to Dave and his team from the UK for arranging this meeting and also the visit to the 2011 World Cup venue.
As this is my first report I do not have a long tiring report but just a short view.
Since the 2007 World Cup hosted at Warwick in Australia we have seen a huge interest in Polocrosse taking off around the world with the latest interest coming from Dubai where they already have 30 members.
International Polocrosse has been quite active in the last two years as we have seen Australia touring the UK, a Quad series held in Australia attended by SA, NZ and the UK. Congratulations to Australia for once again showing the world why they are the World Champions.
South Africa also participated for the second time on Aussie soil against an Australian U/16 side and for the second time SA beat Australia in that age group.
I do believe that the various countries will report back on all the International events they hosted or attended.
We asked to have a business plan drawn for the IPC and different views were passed on from various countries and I trust that we can put this business plan to action with this meeting and a full five year tour plan can be distributed around the world giving everybody the opportunity to host an International event along the line.
I would however like to congratulate Wayne Parham and his team from Zimbabwe with the great success they had hosting the Zimbabwe Open in 2008. This tournament for the first time in Africa that I can recall was broadcasted 6 times on Mnet Super sport and added great value to the development of Polocrosse. I foresee that this tournament is most likely going to become one of the biggest attractions for Polocrosse in the world.
To all of you always willing to support and share ideas my greatest appreciation and thanks, and for those of you attending the test matches between the UK and SA this weekend thanks for staying and supporting Polocrosse.
Then last but surely not the least : ODETTE : THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND PASSION FOR OUR LOVELY SPORT IT DOES NOT GO BY UNNOTICED.
Wessel Strauss
President
MOTION: That the President’s Report be accepted and approved.
MOVED: G. Mathie Seconded: K. Malcolm CARRIED
8. Report on 2011 World Cup – UK
Polocrosse World Cup 2011 – Information
for competing countries:
Dates – The event will be held from 4 – 18 July 2011 (inclusive).
Location – The event will be held at Bishop Burton College, York Road, Bishop Burton, Beverley, HU17 8QG.
Venue details – Bishop Burton College is one of the UK’s finest Land Based Colleges, located near to the historic town of Beverley, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Many areas of historic and tourist interest are nearby, also being very close to the East Coast of the country.
The venue has capacity for a fantastic event, including (all on-site) – ample flat land for at least 6 polocrosse fields, stabling for 200 horses, Veterinary/Horse Welfare/Isolation facilities, accommodation for players and spectators, camping and penning facilities, toilets and showers, hospitality and corporate facilities, catering, bar, media centre, meeting facilities, indoor and outdoor arenas, site security, event ground maintenance capabilities.
Nearest airports – Humberside Airport (approx 25 miles)
Robin Hood Doncaster Airport (approx 45 miles)
Leeds Bradford Airport (approx 60 miles)
East Midlands Airport (approx 100 miles)
Manchester Airport (approx 106 miles)
Stansted Airport (approx 185 miles)
Nearest ferry ports – Hull Ferry Port (approx 12 miles)
Newcastle Ferry Port (approx 112 miles)
Countries that will be invited to send teams to play in the Polocrosse World Cup 2011 –
Australia
Ireland
New Zealand
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Countries that will be invited to send teams to play in the European Challenge tournament. These teams, with the exception of Canada, will have to provide own horses.
Belgium
Canada
France
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Norway
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom Pony Club will be invited to hold an International Pony Club Challenge Polocrosse Tournament at the Polocrosse World Cup 2011. All the Horses will be provided by the Pony Club.
Entry fees for competing countries –
World Cup teams £2000
European Challenge teams £500
Pony Club Challenge teams £300
Following the IPC meeting in July 2009, competing countries will be sent a formal invitation to the event, with nomination forms. A deposit of 25% of the entry fees will be requested by 1 January 2010, the remainder of which is to be paid by 1 January 2011.
Dave Brookes also added that there has been a promise of 70-80 horses to date and they are continuing to source additional horses. Question from the floor to Ireland whether they could supply horses – Irish delegates advised this was possible but would need to see proposal from the UK.
Wessel wished the UK association all the best for a successful World Cup.
9. Participating countries in 2011 World Cup
Due to Canada withdrawing from competing in 2011 World Cup, it was not required to conduct playoffs for final 3 positions.
10. Role of IPC at World Cup and tournament procedures
There was general discussion on what role the IPC should take. Agreement that host country would have control of the event with IPC being fully briefed at all times on it’s progress.
11. Hosting 2015 World Cup – timeline for bids
Nominations to be called for immediately with bids to be in by 1st April 2011.
12. IPC website (Allen Hicks)
a. magazine
* An on-line Polocrosse Magazine could help pull the world Polocrosse community together.
* Keeping it on line would keep printing and distribution costs to a minimum.
* Could be produced 1 or 2 times per year to start with.
* Content could be gathered from each member country along with a few good paid for articles.
* Cost to assemble and publish would also need to be covered to ensure ongoing quality and consistency.
* Would the IPC be willing to help fund the idea via a per member contribution on an ongoing basis?
* Would the IPC be willing to bankroll the first issue say $1000.00 to get the idea off the ground?
MOTION: That the IPC fund an initial issue at $AU1000.00 with Allen Hicks as publisher. Concept to be reviewed in 12 months.
MOVED: P. Crauford Seconded: P. O’Sullivan CARRIED
b. advertising on website
* Advertisers could help fund the project in return for advertising on the web site.
* Could the World Cup site become part of the IPC site? Complete control of the World Cup content could be handed over to the host UK.
* A consistent web site location for World Cup info would boost the traffic and ratings of the IPC site which should be good for Polocrosse on the web in the long term. Short term it will boost traffic for advertisers on the site.
13. Champion Player Trophy (Bomber Nel from Bombers)
After much discussion it was agreed that a trophy from any sponsor for an international event would have to be supported by the host nation and apply to that event only. Thanks were expressed towards Bomber Nel for his submission but it was felt that sponsors trophies could only occur on an event by event basis.
14. Pocket patch/blazer for IPC delegates
Peter Crauford presented a tie pattern suitable to identify an IPC delegate. Discussion was also held on pocket patches and ladies scarves. Peter undertook to obtain prices for these.
MOTION: That Peter Crauford arrange for manufacture of 50 ties at total cost of $AU1740.00 plus GST.
MOVED: S. Neal Seconded: K. Malcolm CARRIED
15. International Tour Program for next 5 years
All international tours to be posted on IPC website. Countries to contact IPC Secretary with details.
16. Feedback from Umpires Committee and ratification of any possible changes
A meeting with the IPC Co-ordinator of Umpires had been held on 14th July where a number of rules had been revised. Stewart Neal then went through the revised document where a number of other changes were agreed to. The final document will be forwarded to affiliated countries.
MOTION: That adoption of changes made to the International Polocrosse Rules be accepted. The revised rules to take effect from 1st August 2009.
MOVED: S. Neal Seconded K. Malcolm CARRIED
The meeting then considered the document “Playing Rules – World Cup, Quadrangular and 7 or 8 Person Teams”. A few modifications were agreed to.
MOTION: That the document “Playing Rules – World Cup, Quadrangular and 7 or 8 Person Teams” as revised be adopted.
MOVED: K. Malcolm Seconded P. Crauford CARRIED
USA delegates voted against any changes not previously notified to countries.
17. General Business
Application for Associate Membership – United Arab Emirates
A written application from Polocrosse UAE was distributed.
MOTION: That Polocrosse UAE be accepted as an Associate Member of the IPC and a letter of welcome be sent. Further, that the new associate member country not be charged affiliation fees until 2010.
MOVED: G. Mathie Seconded: P. Crauford CARRIED
Ken Malcolm moved a vote of thanks to Wessel Strauss.
Dave Brookes reminded everyone that tonight’s dinner was being held at the Hardings Property and for those delegates attending the tour to the World Cup site they should meet at Ashfields by 7.50 am the following morning.

