United Arab Emirates

Dear Sir,

We are a newly formed group of people with a passion to play Polocrosse.  Since starting friendly practice meets over 9 weeks ago, we now have over 30 members and each week it is growing.

As polocrosse is a new sport to the Middle East it is at present mainly expatriate players who play, and the generated interest and passion each individual brings to the game shows not only the potential but also a family atmosphere where people from all walks of life can enjoy.

Presently we are playing at Al Awadi Stables in Al Dhaid about 45 minutes from Dubai.  This is a desert retreat for horse riders and equine enthusiasts.  Their website is www.alawadistables.net , the manager Phillipa Barlow and myself are keen players of the sport, and with the help from some other national players we have brought in the game and trained horses we have available.  Myself being from Zimbabwe and playing for Zambia is the only handicapped player on site, but with the combined knowledge and interest from players like Pete Berg (7 handicap), Richard Meaker (5 handicap), Carel Vosloo (3 handicap), Gabby Willers (4 handicap) and Connel Bunnett (6 handicap), our new players and members are learning and enjoying the sport at a fast rate.

Next season we will also have a club in Dubai set up as they are very keen to bring in the sport with our help, and a new club in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are already in discussion with holding weekly meets, also next for next season we will be playing a couple of in-house friendlies.

We have already formed a committee which we are delighted to say, makes this new sport to the Middle East not only exciting, but also the potential for growth is outstanding.  Next season looks to be very promising by being part of the IPC, as not only will this encourage the other nations to come and play in a very fast developing country but it will also help us to regulate, from the beginning, the standards of safety and horsemanship that is so needed in a Middle Eastern Country.

Our selected committee members are:

Chairman    – Jacqueline Dean

Vice Chairman  -  Nicole Sherwood

Vice Chairman  -  Zaid Azaizeh

Secretary     -  Phillipa Barlow

Horse Welfare   -  Andy Taylor

Treasurer     -  Mohammed Al Nakhi

Official Umpire -  Pete Burg

Coaches    -  Richard Meaker

Gabby Willers

Carel Vosloo

Andy Taylor (4 handicap)

Connal Bunnett

We hope that you grant us the Associate Membership to the IPC, as this sport is growing over here we would like to have the support of the IPC in this country to help govern the standard of play that is met over the world.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Andy Taylor and Phillipa Barlow