Dear Members
What a start to the 2023/2024 season. The Melbourne Cup delivered fast, action packed games and for once the Melbourne Weather gods let us have a dry cup. The response to the tournament was all extremely positive. Visiting teams enjoyed us show casing the top class assets we have available to us in the Victorian Spring.
Unfortunately rain has been the battle since with many cancellations frustrating us all, until the fabulous Mingela weekend. They were able to accomodate all 16 teams who entered. We look forward to being back there for the first tournament in 2024.
The VPA welcomed Andrew Williams to the team and he has been instrumental in bringing the community feel back at Werribee and getting numbers at chukkas on the increase. His expert umpiring skills have been assisting players at all levels of the game.
The recent chukka duration changes and welfare rules introduced by the APF are having a positive impact on the sport for player and horse safety. We are seeing much faster polo than 10 years ago and we need to be proactive making changes as the sport evolves. It would certainly indicate that money invested in umpiring is seeing a safer and more enjoyable game for all. Please keep using the fabulous learning tool we have in the umpiring programme with more content being added.
At a VPA level we will be introducing regular player bulletins focusing on one area of our sport in each edition. At a club level we would like to see more community engagement and player involvement.
The umpiring initiatives will continue to be rolled out in 2024. At the 2024 Hexham Uquhart cup the APF will be sending an umpire to coach all levels over the three days of play. We have so much to look forward to in early 2024 and although unfortunately Portsea polo and the VRC invitational will be postponed for a year, we have lots on the calendar.
Don’t forget the junior polo clinic on the 18th and 19th January at Werribee. The Equine Emergency first aid training clinic in February is a must for every player at every level of the sport.
With a growing social media presence, helped by polo cam at the Melbourne cup and a very active website we are in a stronger position to be applying for sponsors. Our continuing relationship with Racing Victoria Off the Track programme brings benefit to all members who enjoy Werribee. We are looking to engage the services of a professional who can help us apply for available grants to assist in the funds required for Werribee and other areas key of the sport such as junior participation . If you have any ideas we would love to hear them - so pop the secretary an email or chat to one of the committee members.
We welcome our new players who have joined us this season. Whilst this sport, like all others has its up and downs we want to encourage you to celebrate the positives.
Lastly on behalf of the VPA board of Directors we wish you and your families a merry christmas and a happy new year. Lets work together to make 2024 enjoyable for all.