Eddie Cross:

For all our troubles this is a great place to live and raise children. I was attending a birthday party for my grandson who has just turned 8, he had invited 29 little boys of his own age (no girls) and they had a “Pirate Party” organized by my daughter. Those boys had a great evening and some stayed over to sleep in tents on the lawn.

One of the parents, sitting on the stoep coined the phrase “marvelous Zimbabwe” as it was a beautiful evening, blue skies, about 25 c and no humidity. Nearby the national cricket team was busy beating Bangladesh in a 5 days test at the Harare Sports Club – a great Dutch style complex of green grass and bars in the center of town, next to the magnificent Royal Harare Golf Course. I recalled meeting a businessman in London who said to me (we had just won the ICC Trophy) “there is nothing wrong with a country that can play first class cricket!” In a way he had a point.

My one nephew is coaching the Zimbabwe team, another is coaching the English team and he has transformed that team since he took charge. My grandson attends a local private school where for $4000 a year he is getting a world-class education without government subsidy. Our private schools are really first class, somehow the kids come out of those schools well rounded, achievers and hard working.

At Independence people who were leaving the country said to me that their great fears were health and education – I said that if that was the case, we should stay and make sure that our needs were met in both areas through private enterprise. The private schools that have mushroomed in the country since then have fully supported my views. Last week I got confirmation of the same for health services. My wife had a severe pain in her stomach and we suspected an ulcer. My daughter suggested we try a new facility near where we stay in Harare when I am there for Parliament.

She went to this new private clinic and when I got home from Parliament she said that I should accompany her to see this place. We arrived at nearly 6 pm and it was humming. She saw a doctor in 5 minutes and was referred to a specialist after some tests and scan. Fast, efficient, courteous, modern equipment, beautiful surroundings – world class in every sense and our medical aid paid for it in full, there were no charges. It was black funded, managed and staffed with only one of the doctors who were white on the staff. Once again, the private sector at work.

Then there is our medical aid societies – we belong to one, totally local, pay $50 a month and in return get $60 000 of emergency medical insurance cover, ambulance and air ambulance services on call 24 hours a day, cover for doctors visits, dentist and optician services and if the service we require is not available locally – access to the best in South Africa. When I had a stent inserted in the back of my brain three years ago it was at a private hospital in South Africa, local specialists but they held a videoconference with a specialist in Texas and Paris while I was on the operating table. Medical aid costs as little as $6 a month and gives you various stages of cover. It is just amazing – no government involvement, private capital, private investment and management, all world class, all African.

Marvelous Zimbabwe does it again and again. We have yet to fix the main problem, but that is work in progress. It may look a mess right now but we are working on this in our own way and gradually a new society is emerging. Near to where we live in Harare is a new supermarket, the “Bridge”. I want to tell you that not many people anywhere in the world would have access to a store of such modern and sophisticated design. It’s new, it’s locally designed and constructed, locally managed and owned and it’s world class. Can we do it? Yes we can and are, and all those skeptics out there who thought otherwise must come and take a look.

We have the best climate in the world, do not have earthquakes or tornados and are so far out of the mainstream of world financial affairs that we do not matter and Wall Street is a curiosity. Our Polo Crosse team just came second in the World Championship – all dispossessed farmers who decided that while the farm situation is being sorted out, they would play Polo. Now we watch the Yobo’s of London and Liverpool trash their cities and burn their future while the Police seem totally incapable.

We have made sacrifices by staying in Zimbabwe and joining in the fight for a better world for our grandchildren to live in but it has been worth every thing and more and the fact that we are in fact winning is just a bonsela. Just come and sit on the sidelines of a school rugby match and watch the new generation setting the standards for a new world. They play hard and they work hard, they are the kind of kids that will make us all proud.

Just to return briefly to the global financial crisis. The public debt of China is 150 per cent of their GDP – the same or worse than Greece, in the USA its nearing 100 per cent of GDP – ours is about 90 per cent. It is all a question of perception and confidence, smoke and mirrors. The US Congress did nobody any good quibbling over an issue that was clear from the start. The private sector may be doing marvelous things in Zimbabwe, but let me tell you, no country can afford to take on the markets. If you do dumb things you pay the price and the first black President of the USA is not in anyway responsible for the loss of confidence in the US financial system. That lies squarely with the House and the Senate and I hope they are duly warned.

Eddie Cross

Bulawayo, 10th August 2011

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgMarvelous Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe have become the 7th country to announce their World Cup team, leaving just Ireland undeclared as the competition in July rapidly approaches. Just one member of the 2007 World Cup team survives, that is Andy Baker who is now the captain of the team. There are two other players who did also play in the 2003 World Cup but just not for Zimbabwe, they are Sophie Sargeant (formerly of the UK) and Kelly Redford (formerly of South Africa).

Both were very highly rated by their previous countries, Tony Higgs (the former South African coach) said of Kelly at the 2007 World Cup that she had the ability to become the most devastating attack player in the world and Sophie Sargeant was one of the top UK ladies players over the last few years. What reception they will receive from their previous countries’ supporters remain to be seen. They are joined in the ladies side by Susan Sargeant (who played for Zimabwe in 2003 World Cup) and Audrey Logan. The remaining men are Michael Krynauw, who some people have described as the best men’s number 1 in the world, Danie Swan and Graham Keith.

Zimbabwe finished 5th at the last world cup and were disappointed with their result. It would seem likely that they will improve on this result in 2011, though they do have the tougher group with both Australia and New Zealand for company, along with the reasonably unknown quantity of Zambia. However, the predictions are that they should be able to overcome Zambia (and they will know how they will play more than most as they play them annually in the ZimZam tournament) and they are probably slightly stronger than New Zealand. Whether they can threaten the world champions Australia is a different matter but if they finish second in the group and make the semi finals they are guaranteed at least a 4th place finish, which is where they finished in 2003. They obviously will want more than that and probably in this team they have their best chance yet of getting at least to the World Cup final.

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgZimbabwe Announces it’s World Cup Team

25 March 2011

All countries to participate in the 2011 World Cup

As per previous communication I paid a visit to the UK this week to have a look at the new venue, and meet the new organisers. I can positively report back as follow.

The venue itself is situated in a much more visitor friendly environment as to Bishop Burton and is located 80 miles from Heathrow Airport London and 30 miles from Birmingham Airport by road and forty minutes by train from London

It is also located in an area with a variety of tourist attractions for supporters which should keep them very busy during the days when no test matches are being played.

The fields as they are now I am positive about that we could play on them immediately without any trouble and they are continuously being upgraded till the event itself.

At the fields areas are being prepared where Marquee tents will be erected with all facilities available and more than sufficient parking and back-up playing fields if needed.

I had the opportunity to meet with Phillip Baker the owner of the grounds who is currently putting in a huge effort to have everything in place in a very short time. He also gave me the assurance that the venue will be available with all requirements for the entire period of the World Cup.

Furthermore I met with Eric Jenkinson, Quintin Cornforth and Iain Heaton the CEO of the organising committee.

All three these gentlemen are fully supportive and positive towards the running of the World Cup and never hesitated to answer any questions asked and assured a very successful event.

The entire organising committee for this event has been restructured and it was found that communication in surrounding areas has already been distributed as various places were visited and everybody of importance knew about the coming World Cup. That can also be seen in the communication received from Iain the last few weeks regarding the progress entry fees etc.

The horses available for the World Cup were also discussed and assurance were also given that the correct total of horses would be available although they might not be to the same standard of horses supplied in Australia.

In view of the fact that the organising committee had changed and the draw send out previously was done by the previous organisers also came under discussion and agreement had been reached that the draw would change as per the last discussion between Iain and Odette with the input from Bill Bleechmore which means that the draw will now be as put together by Iain after studying a variety of possible draws. I am however of opinion that at the IPC meeting a standard format must be tabled for future World Cup events which would be used by all countries hosting a World Cup. We have the two previous versions done by Australia for 2003 and 2007 which worked out well, and now this one from Iain.

Pool A

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia

Pool B

• United Kingdom
• South Africa
• Ireland
• United States of America

I have taken some pictures of the venue and the type of stabling which I am attaching to this e mail for your view.

As said I am happy with the venue and would like to thank the UK organisers for their hospitality and support during my visit and wish them all of the best for the last few months of preparation and at this stage has no doubt that they will host a successful 2011 World Cup.

If you have any further questions please feel free to ask and regular updates will be received from Iain as they proceed.

I call on all countries to be positive and support the UK in every possible way we as member countries can.

Kind Regards

Wessel Strauss

PRESIDENT: INTERNATIONAL POLOCROSSE COUNCIL

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.org2011 World Cup UK Venue Review

Winning team in the top division Koala Park. The tournament is split into two divisions four in the top team division and four in the bottom division. Only the best in the world get to play in the top divisions as each sponsor imports his players from all over the world!

The sponsor tents. The sponsors receive a bar and get served  buffet lunches every day they appoint hostesses to look after their guests and each sponsor invites their guests into their tents themselves so that it’s pretty exclusive. They are encouraged to promote their companies as much as they can. One sponsor had leather chairs and fancy waitresses!!! Each team appoints a manager and a horse coordinator. It’s serious stuff and allot depends on how you look after your horses (and players) over the weekend. No horse no game..The players and horses are tacked up to a T and nothing sloppy is permitted. We try keep the standards very high and encourage this. The horses are fantastic and this year they were trucked in from as far as Capetown…The fields are overlooked by a big grand stand a pavilion which is where we had the ball. This during the tournament is used for public seating and catering.

In the past it was compulsory to have one lady player in your team. This year we made up a team of top ladies. They were in the second pool and got to the finals. This was awesome to see as their opposition were mainly men!!! Ha women s lib and a bit biased as this was my team!

Brilliant photos!!!

The winning team in the top division Koala part….this year we had Aussies and a New Zealand player join us as well as the usual guys from Uk…

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Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgZim Open 2010

Things got off to a start on the Wednesday – well actually preparations for the open got off to a start long before the Wednesday but proceedings for the annual Zim Open 2009 got underway on Wednesday the 9th of September with their meet and greet, black tie ball the traditional gathering of all the players, managers, sponsors, interested spectators and family, as well as honoured guests and the few friends looking for a good party. The setting this year was spectacular the ball was held at the venue as usual however this year they had stepped it up a notch as they always do and we were treated to a fantastic array of drapes and lighting surrounding the main seating area, the tables were covered in flowers and confetti and it definitely was a world class event especially for the polocrosse community.

The bidding process got off starting with the B pool. Bidding is done in order to gain 1st 2nd or 3rd pick and 1st pick in the B pool went to the Progroup team which consisted of Sophie Lodder (uk)  Graham Keith (zim), Brad mallet (conf SA\Zim ) Gary Parham( zim) Dan Duhig( uk) Dale Scott(zim ) and from their first bid they chose Francis Dodd. Second bid went to the High Voltage team – Jonjon Rutherford (conf SA\Zim), Craig Mannix (zim), Lucas Holtzhausen (zim) Brian Wright ( zim ) Steven Kane( sa) Gordon Shaw( sa) and they chose as their 2nd pick Arlene Crookes. Third bid went to Alcredo they consisted of Steven Gardini ( zim ), Skye Bradford (au), Ian Taylor (zim) Bosse Joubert ( zim ) Hamish Micheals (uk) , Lynton Bauer ( sa) and their 3rd pick was for Nikki Hopgood. The final team was Kelly Redford (conf Zim\sa), Lee- anne Van wyk (sa) Audrey Logan ( zim ) Stacey Logan (zim ), Nicky Crookes(sa) and their wildcard was Alison van Heerden(zim)

This lead to the A pool bidding and first bid went to Koala park team which was Danie Swan (zim) Micheal Krynaw (zim), Brad Clark (zim), Chris Andserson ( au), Troy Henry(au), Shane Hill ( nz), and their pick was for Lance Anderson (au). Second pick was won by the Renaissance team of Andy Baker (zim) Brendon Leschinski (sa), Squaky Whaley ( sa), Andrew Heynes (sa), Jason Webb (uk) Travis Timm (sa) and their pick was for Beau Moore (au). 3rd pick went to the Millers team of Howy Baker (zim) Nico Van Wyk(sa) Attie Van wyk (sa), Abbott Grills (au), Gysie Bonzaaier (sa) Chavonne Cooper(sa) and their pick was for Guy Robertson (uk). The final team was Capicol which was Jannie Steenkamp (sa) Damien Harris ( sa), Charl Duplessis (sa) Graham Maclarty (sa), Bruce Maclarty(sa) Gavin Cocker(sa) and their wild card was Greg Sergeant (uk). The ball then became very festive as everyone celebrated the triumphs in anticipation for the start of the tournament.

This Year the venue was the Harare showgrounds in the arena traditionally used for showjumping. Making for a spectacular scene the field is surrounded like an amphitheatre with a slope down on to the fields surrounding the field, the one side of the field held the sponsors tents which were lavishly  set out with drapes and seating areas, and served food and drink to the sponsors and their entourage whilst at the top end of the field there was a grandstand for the specators providing shade and a spectacular overhead view of the proceedings great for viewing the exceptional polocrosse.

Play began on the Friday and saw 4 B pool games and 2 A pool games whilst on Saturday they had 4 A Pool games and 2 B pool games, each pool was a round robin with the top 2 teams progressing to the final and the bottom two to the 3rd place playoff. Play started off at 8 am in the B pool with a replay of last years final between the High Voltage team and the Progroup team and as with last years final the Progroup team managed to upset High Voltage to win by one goal with some great play. The second game was between Alcredo and Tanzi this saw the girls from Tanzi come together and win by a fair margin. The first A pool Game was next this saw Koala park, last years champs, take on Millers one of the new teams and although Millers did well and managed to stay in it for a while in the end Koala Park were very clinical and finished with a convincing win. The second game had Renaissance head up against Capicol in a thrilling encounter that had a seasaw of goals from either side, but eventually Renaissance established a lead and managed to keep that lead to the end and claim victory. The second B pool Games in the afternoon started off with High Voltage playing Alcredo and although Alcredo put up a fight the High Voltage team proved too strong and ended with a convincing win. The last game for the day was between the Progroup winners from last year and the Tanzi girls an all girls side made up of the top Zim and SA ladies. The game got off to a flyer and the girls were playing really well, there was some of the best ladies polocrosse on display as they cleaned up the Progroup side to take victory.

Saturdays play started with the Koala Park team taking on the Renaissance side both winners from the previous day however again with clinical and precise play the Koala park team asserted their authority and beat the Renaissance side quite convincingly. The Capicol side took on  the Millers Team next and saw the Capicol side find a bit of rhythm and win the game. The next games were the B pool games for the day and had High Voltage take on Tanzi and in a very closely contested and hard fought game High Voltage managed to come together and with some hard play win by a narrow margin as well as gain themselves a spot in the finals. The next game had the Progroup side take on the Alcredo team with Progroup needing 30+ goals to make the final a very possible task considering Alcredo’s performance so far in the event, and although they got close the Alcredo team pulled them back and away from the delights of another final so although victorious the Progoup side had missed the final. This meant that the B pool final was between the Tanzi Girls and The High Voltage side. The A pool games for the afternoon saw things between Koala park and Capicol get off to a thrilling start and in a tensely contested match Capicol lined up for the last chukka 5 goals down and with a lot to play for. However in one of the most thrilling and astonishing chukkas of the weekend so far Capicol thrashed in a 9 goal Chukka and left the crowd and the Koala Park side in shock with a demonstration of a typical Zim Open style upset in the end. The next game was between Renaissance and Millers where Renaissance needed to win with 35 goals to get into the final in front of the Capicol side and boy did they try with the Millers team putting in all their effort to try and win their first game the Renaissance team got close and ended up with 34 goals missing the final by one goal a real gut wrenching margin and an unlucky end to their run for the trophy.

The Sunday started with the B pool 3rd place final which was won by the Progoup side leaving Alcrdeo in 4th. Then there was the A pool 3rd place final which was won by the Renaissance team leaving Millers in 4th.

The B pool final was a tense affair between the Tanzi Girls and High Voltage, having met already in the pool matches where High Voltage claimed victory the girls were sure to mix it up and try take the trophy from the high voltage teams grasp. The Match started off  with the score neck and neck with neither team gaining a strong advantage, there was some great play from the girls with Kelly Redford at the 1 supported very well by Celicia Jacobs at the 3 making a great combination in the one section  whilst in the other they had  Audrey Logan bringing her section back  at 1 by putting in some goals  as their struggle to put in goals  was where they had lost it in the previous game. With things close up to the 6th chukka the High Voltage team went into the 7th and really asserted some authority in the form of Steven Kane who had been a pretty much dominant figure throughout the tournament playing some fantastic polocrosse, this took the Tanzi team into the final chukka with a lot of work to do and at the beginning of the chukka it looked like they might be in it but with some great polocrosse in the combination of Gordon Shaw, Craig Mannix and the comeback of Jonjon Rutherford proving too much for the girls High Voltage ran in Winners of the B pool Zimbabwe Open 2009

The much anticipated A pool final set off to a roaring start with everything to play for and everything to loose both teams were grasping at every opportunity they could to try and take the lead. Things were close most of the way however  at some stage both teams managed to gain a 3 goal advantage and it seemed like they would run away with it only to be roped back in by their adversaries. The Sixth chukka was particularly entertaining and interesting at the same time there were 6 players on the field – not a single one of them were Zimbabwean – in the Zim Open!! Anyway as things may happen a fight broke out and a player from each team was sent to the sin bin leaving 4 players on the field – a first for a Zim open final I think. So after the entertaining sixth the players lined up for the seventh with Koala park holding a slight lead there was some great play and the grittiness of the Capicol players in Gavin Cocker, Bruce Maclarty and Graham Maclarty a young 15 year old from South Africa matching a flamboyant Mikey Krynaw, Danie Swan and Chris Anderson proved to be a tense affair with the 7th chukka scores ending pretty much even but koala in front on the scoreboard Mikey and Graham played fantastic polocrosse all weekend and it was great to see such a high standard from both these players. This left things in limbo for the final chukka between sections that had both had yellow cards, Koala lined up with Troy Henry, Lance Anderson and Shane Hill a formidable combination of Australian and New Zealand polocrosse up against Charl Duplessis, Damien Harris and Jan Albert Steenkamp some of SA’s finest talent   it was a ripping final chukka with the Capicol side getting a lot of ball at the back and looking to rope in the Koala Park side however the Koala team managed to turn over possession a couple of times and by making certain of the possession they had they managed to keep the Capicol Team at bay and take their lead to the end as well as  the silverware Koala Park Champions of the 2009 Zimbabwe Polocrosse Open 2009. In a final comment about the overseas players, it is really such a privilege to have such a caliber of player in a tournament but what was really pleasing was the manner in which they conducted themselves nothing short of courteous, grateful and very open and friendly to the people around them it was great to have them out and we look forward to seeing them again.

Terrance From Bombers Equestrian

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Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgZimbabwe Open 2009

President: Mr WAYNE PARHAM Hon. Secretary: Mrs Tracey Beekes
Hon. Treasurer: Mrs JUDITH SWAN   Tel: + 263 91 2 434 135 Email : polox@iitrade.net

14 July 2009

Report for the Zimbabwe Polo X Association

As you are all aware Zimbabwe has been going through some trying times these last few years. Our membership stands at 120 from a high of 450 in early 2002. The main aim has been to try and stem the flow of those that have had to give up due to the economic and political conditions. I think now we are at the the cross roads and the future should be one of growth.

The focus of our association has thus been to concentrate on our domestic calendar, to maintain the numbers and support it financially. With one highlight in the year being that of the Zimbabwe open, this is a great spectacle of the local and foreign talent, it has done much to try and develop an interest to the game. We have many under 14 kids that are wanting to join the sport, and this is an encouraging sign. We would like to do as much to develop the game, from ground roots.

An annual tournament between us and Zambia, called the Zim-Zam was established 5 years ago and this has helped to keep an international calendar going and has been of great benefit to both nations. We have a Senior and Junior tour each year one at home and the other away. The only other international exposure has been players participating in South African tournaments. Future tours and international exposure is something I hope we can develop going forward with a more positive environment in Zimbabwe leading to more sponsorship.

I would like to conclude by thanking Odette Neuman for all the correspondence she feeds us and apologize for the small amounts of information she receives in return.

We have had so much to worry about on a local footing that I am afraid we have paid little attention to the finer details on the international stage. My thanks to Wessels who with South Africa have helped in many ways and supported us during these trying times.

Yours truly,

Wayne  Parham  President Zimbabwe Polo x

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgReport for the Zimbabwe Polo X Association

ZIMBABWE POLOCROSSE OPEN 2009

The most spectacular polocrosse you will ever see!

This year we are bigger and better than ever before. We have four top teams competing in the upper division and four in the lower division. We have included top international players this year from Australia, UK and South Africa.

Our team sponsors so far this year are Millers, Renaissance Capital, Tanzi, Progroup, Koala Park and High Voltage. We would like to thank these companies for supporting polocrosse. This event enables our sport to survive in Zimabwe and this year we aim to raise enough funds to get our top players to the World Cup.

More advertising opportunities and two sponsorships spots for teams still available.

Please come and join in the fun and see how it’s done. Tickets for the ball are available now and are in short supply please Email Sarah on below address. First options go to the sponsors. We are hoping to get better air fares discounts, this can be done if we all use the same Travel Agent.

Please forward your name, passport numbers, departure and arrival dates etc to Sarah Parham asap on eparham@zol.co.zw

Dates:

Polo-X Ball on 9th September Tickets Available

Tournament on Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September 2009

Venue:

GLAMIS STADIUM  – Harare Show Grounds

Supersport Coverage

Kiddies Korner

Arts & Crafts

Entertainment

Kind regards

Tracey – Leigh Beekes (nee Joubert)

Zimbabwe Polocrosse Secretary

Shingilalla Stud

P.O.Box BW304

Borrowdale Zimbabwe

Email : polox@iitrade.net

Cell :  091 2 434 135

Horses are my world!

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgZIM OPEN 2009

July 18/19Veterans outward tour  Zimbabwe
Team: No team chosen as yet.

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgSouth Africa Veterans to Zimbabwe

Dear Polocrosse Friends Around the World!!!

Seasons greetings and all the very best for 2009 polocrosse season!

I am so excited and wish you guys all the best for this polocrosse season. I think it’s probably better only to have my contact details on the web site so that I can do the paper work for the association. Thank you very much…

I don’t have much news or updates really. We have been going through a very bad patch but as usual at the beginning of the season we are all excited and really keen to start playing.

Our prestigious Zim Polocrosse Open will probably be our highlight again this year. This is a high goal handicap tournament where sponsors choose their teams from across the world and bid for their top lady player, they are called Wild Cards and are nominated before the event. It’s absolutely awesome and believed to be the best Polocrosse played in the World! Last year we had 8 teams and imported 34 horses from South Africa, this also included flying in at least 16 top players from across the continents! Players were from South Africa, Australia and the UK. We had a record breaking 1000 spectators coming through our gates on the final day and this for Zimbabwe is HUGE! This event keeps Polocrosse going for the rest of the year and without this we simply would not have the means to play. Hope to see some of you here this year?

Kind regards

Tracey Beekes

Our new committee for 2009 are as follows …

Honorary Life Presidents : John Harris, Ian Kay, Don Cocker and Barry Burbidge

President :                        Wayne Parham

Vice President :                 Tim Fennell

Treasurer :                       Judith Swan

Director of coaching:         Willie Swan

Chief Umpire:                   Richard Mostert

Deputy Umpire:                 Brian Wright

Chairman of Selection :     Alan Malloy

Handicapper:                    Wally Crawford

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgZimbabwe Update

History of Polocrosse in Zimbabwe

In 1948, whilst chairman of the Ft. Victoria (now Masvingo) Gymkhana Club, Dr Minto Strover read in the magazine ‘Riding’, an article by the late Tony Collins, describing the New Australian Game. He wrote to Australia and to Porlock Vale Polocrosse Club, England, and was able to obtain rule books, sticks and balls and thereafter started practicing with the enthusiastic members of his club. Following a visit in 1950, by keen riders from the Umvuma area, Rhodesdale Club (now Sebakwe) was soon formed and the first inter club match was held that year. A third club was then formed in Gweru, and in consequence the Polocrosse Association was formed under the Presidency of Dr Stover. In 1951, during a visit to Escourt in Natal, Dr Strover explained the game to friends in the area and with his assistance, polocrosse in South Africa was established.

Between 1952 and 1955, numerous demonstrations were given around the country to promote the game and this saw the formation of other clubs with interest spreading far and wide. During this period the late Major Sir Rupert Bromley Bart., who had become President of the Association, played a significant role in the administration of the game.

In the early years there were many lady players but soon they began to drop out of the game due to ˜male chauvinism“ the ladies received little or not training in the game yet they were expected to school and exercise their spouse’s animal, so that he could have a storming game; whilst they played the farm hack.

By 1958 there were 9 clubs in the country and the principal landmark at that time was the drawing up of the ˜handicap list“ now in use within the Association: and by 1960, A, B and C Division championships were being held annually.

In 1966, due to the ambitious desires of most players to play against other countries a fund was opened to send a team to Australia. The idea began at the 1966 AGM when the sum of 5 5 d was collected; however the money was only used in 1972 when the full amount, plus interest, was handed over to the convening committee of the 1972 tour by members of the Australian club Ingleburn“ pioneer club of polocrosse. This tour came about as a result of a Hippo Valley player emigrating to New South Wales and establishing contact with Ingleburn. Their chairman, Michael Polya was extremely enthusiastic and the tour was organized encompassing a visit to the Natal and Transvaal areas also and this providing a tremendous boost to polocrosse in southern Africa.

In the beginning the goal posts were only 3m high with a 1m flag on top; however in 1968 concern was voiced over the inability to confirm goals scored due to shots being too high. A cross bar at 4m was then tried, but proved ineffective and the end result was that posts were increased to 5 m with a 1m flag on top.

Until the advent of Zimbabwean Independence, international polocrosse experience was extremely limited; however 1983 saw out first real involvement when the Association was invited to attend the First World Polocrosse Games, held in Australia, where we played against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. We have also received an invitation to attend the Second World Games, which are to be held in New Zealand in 1987.

There are some 20 clubs active in Zimbabwe with 250-300 regular players.

May/June 1985

Thanks to Polocrosse-international.orgPolocrosse in Zimbabwe