THE NEXT GENERATION

Andrew Barlow, chair of the HPA’s Development and Coaching Committee, outlines fresh plans to develop the best young players with the new Performance Pathway programme

This year the HPA will be launching a new initiative for the development of young players: the HPA Performance Pathway. Similar to the HPA’s former Fast Track scheme, it aims to bring together the game’s most experienced professionals, who will lend their guidance for all-round polo development on and off the eld, as well as utilising experts for general athletic and organisation skills. The purpose is to identify the best young British players and provide a programme to help them reach their full potential in the professional game and in the future on the international stage.

The HPA has long run programmes to develop young players both in the UK and overseas. For UK players to learn the skills and gain the experience to progress and be successful in a challenging sport requires a structure that combines all-round coaching, mentoring and training.

The HPA has over the years been focused on bringing together all stakeholders in the junior game, working collaboratively under one system. This starts with the Pony Club as the bedrock for all young players starting in the game, continuing from Jorrocks (under 11) through to Gannon (under 21).

The HPA merged its Hipwood (under 14) and Rocksavage (under 18) three- and fourchukka match tournaments into the Pony Club in 2022, combined with facilitating funding through its own nancial support and the generous Park Place grant funding that helped the Championships to return to Cowdray Park.

The HPA and SUPA have also forged a collaborative approach to assist in attracting new players to the sport and providing opportunities for all levels. This approach looks to combine all the resources, knowledge and expertise in a coordinated

THERE IS A NEED TO DEVELOP THE BEST YOUNG PLAYERS FOR CAREERS IN THE PROFESSIONAL GAME AND FOR THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF UK POLO

Above: SUPA International Test Match, January 2023 – Great Britain Universities vs USA Intercollegiate.

Opposite : the Stagshead Trophy on International Day at Guards Polo Club, July 2022, with Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers in the middle way. Polo is a small community that should work together to make the sport accessible in a clear structure.

There is also a need to develop the best young players for careers in the professional game and for the long-term bene t of UK polo and its international teams.

A sub-group of the Development and Coaching Committee has been formed to run the Performance Pathway, managed by Aurora Eastwood, comprising polo professionals and those with experience in the sport, ranging from current players, to polo schools and mentors.

The programme will be run throughout the year. Depending on the age of players, it will be structured around both group sessions, with a exibility that recognises the players’ different development paths and individual circumstances, and players’ own personal plans. This will apply to the UK and abroad during the winter months. For example, the Pathway will cover, but is not limited to, the following general areas:

Sports psychology

• Setting goals and targets

• Enhancing performance

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Assisting with injury recovery

Parents

• Providing emotional support

• Creating a positive environment

• Setting positive examples

• Being patient and understanding

Veterinary

• Horse nutrition and welfare

• Horse tness and preparation

• Injury prevention

• Injury management Mentoring

• Developing life skills in polo

• Building personal relationships in polo

• Understanding core values

• Con ict management

Nutrition and tness

• Overall health

• Strength and conditioning

• Nutrition strategies

• Personal injury management

Coaching

• Personal tactical and technical skills

• Monitoring performance

• Enhancing performance

• Post-game feedback

Players can apply to be assessed for the Performance Pathway, and either be selected or invited to join. Two age groups will be split between approximately 15-18 years (school age) and 19-21 (post-school or university/ college age). The programme will initially comprise a select squad, increasing over time.

Further details will be announced in due course. Meanwhile, the HPA has an exciting summer planned for Select and England representative matches during the summer season, including a Young England match at the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo at the Beaufort Polo Club on Saturday 10 June, and an England Under 21 international on the Coronation Cup Day at Guards Polo Club on Saturday 29 July.