thu219am08, Nove02beTue, 19 Feb 2008 07:34:31 +0000 11, 2007...08:46p02
Youth Polo-Expensive PTF Subsidized Day Care?
You know the phrase “the future of polo is in our youth” was spoken by Louise Hitchcock to a room full of overprivileged young men who would never have to work a day in their lives. It has become the rallying cry behind every youth polo movement and no one has questioned that if once these young men are taught the game, they will be able to afford to play it.
Today I look over the list of children involved in the youth polo programs and notice that nearly every one of them is the son or daughter of a player. And it has been my experience that just about every one of them would be playing with or without the assistance of the PTF. So I guess my question is are we really bringing new people into the game or is the PTF just subsidizing very expensive day care for the offspring of current players?
Is anyone tracking the “success” of the I/I programs, or are we just assuming that because young people are playing the game, they will continue to play it? If there is no tracking system in place to validate the investment, and I fear that there is not, maybe the PTF ought to rethink its approach to spreading the game.
12 Comments
thu220am08, Nove02beWed, 20 Feb 2008 05:20:47 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
The future of polo is in our youth. You only need to look at soccer to see the link between the number of youth participating and the growth of the sport, resulting acceptance and new franchise develpoment. I did a quick count of the girls playing in a tournament this weekend. 23 girls, 8 from polo families and 15 non polo families. I have to respectfully disagree with your blanket statement that most kids playing are from polo families. I have a pretty good idea of the kids that play interscholastic polo in the north east and I’ll assert that the majority of kids playing interscholastic polo in the NE are NOT from polo families. What does that mean? Will this increase general membership down the road? Unfortunately, there is no quick way to measure the trend. However, demographics and visibility can play a great role in exposure and acceptance. In my mind this means exposing kids to polo and getting them involved in organized sports…. yes, that happens to be I/I tournaments and receiving support from the PTF. Those of us in the trenches see things a bit differently then those who don’t live it day to day.
thu220am08, Nove02beWed, 20 Feb 2008 07:03:23 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Lezlie, Thanks for commenting. The reason I made exception to some of the youth program efforts is because in both Wellington and Indio I look at rosters of kids who are sons or daughters of players. In my mind, these kids would be playing polo anyhow. But thanks for balancing the post.
As far as tracking the results, I agree that there is no quick way to track the trend, but the PTF has been behind the “our future is in our youth” campaign since its inception-40 years ago. I believe that should be enough time to track the effects.
thu220am08, Nove02beWed, 20 Feb 2008 08:52:48 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
I commend the efforts of all involved in youth polo, the commitment of those in the trenches is tremendous and those jumping on the bandwagon at least have given some additional voice and attention to youth programs. The increase in attention to youth polo in the last 10-15 years is a great beginning but begs the question, What next for these youngsters? Can we as parents, coaches and pros in good faith, recommend a career as a polo player to our children whether they are kids of players or not? Would the PTF or the USPA recommend a professional polo player as a career choice? Something to think about.
thu220am08, Nove02beWed, 20 Feb 2008 09:21:33 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Volunteer efforts are almost always noble in intent, that wasn’t my point. I am wondering if anything is being accomplished by these efforts. I am wondering if anyone has made any effort at all to track the impact of these programs. And then I’m wondering if, in spite of the findings, anything will change. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I think it’s time for some new thinking.
thu220pm08, Nove02beWed, 20 Feb 2008 19:47:07 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Backhander,
I had a feeling you were looking at youth programs in Indio and Florida. Those programs are primarily made up of children of players. For the most part they do not particpate in the II program, especially at the Interscholastic level. In the 9 years I have been coaching Florida has had a team on only 3 occasions. However, El Dorado has made a real committment and sent quality teams for several years.
This year there are 23 womens interscholastic teams which includes one team from Fla and 34 mens’s and mixed teams listed. IPC and El Dorado are on the schedule to compete. This is a HUGE amount of growth. Perhaps the USPA or PTF could develop a long term tracking system. It wouldn’t be that hard however we’re talking about a minimum comittment of 20 years.
stu221pm08, Nove02beThu, 21 Feb 2008 16:52:46 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Lezlie, while I applaud your efforts, I have to return to the pressing question of whether or not our resources are being channeled in the proper direction. Certainly looking at the 40 year history of the PTF, and understanding that one of its chief directives was the support and promotion of the I/I ranks, you would think that there would be some method in place to see how many future players we were growing through this program. The major problem, as I see it, is that once they have graduated from these programs, there is no place for them to go until they either inherit a small fortune, or amass the funds on their own to pursue the game.
For fun, look through the old Blue Books and track the collegiate players who are still playing-not including the legacies. I think you’ll be surprised.
The next step is what the USPA and the PTF should be addressing. How can they continue the game?
thu225pm08, Nove02beMon, 25 Feb 2008 22:12:51 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
You are correct in stating that many of the young players in south Florida are from polo playing families. However, these same families are some of the largest contributors to the PTF. All in all it is an excellent chance to pass along the gift of polo to the next generations of players. One shining example is Nick Roldan who benefited from playing as a youth in PTF organized matches.
thu225pm08, Nove02beMon, 25 Feb 2008 23:54:55 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
I realize that there are a number of very large PTF contributors whose children participate in the program, but the point I’m making is that most of the sons and daughters of players would be playing regardless of the program. Corky Linfoot didn’t have such a program offered to him, nor did Joe Barry, Tommy Wayman, Owen Rinehart, etc.
The problem isn’t with the program, but with the false perception that it will insure the next generation of players. The only players who’s futures in the sport are insured are the ones who have the accessibility or the financial means to continue. Why isn’t the PTF investing in or subsidizing facilities across the country where instruction, horses and continuity of play are offered? As long as the door is closed, the growth of the sport will be stunted. There has to be a sense of vision if the sport is to grow.
thu227am08, Nove02beWed, 27 Feb 2008 01:36:54 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
We all know it would be a huge undertaking to put together a facility, horses, people and a program that could be a REAL polo boot camp so to speak. I do think there is enough money within the USPA/PTF somewhere to actually consider this type approach. Getting enough people together in a common thought to bring it to life may be challenging…but what worthwhile endeavors aren’t?
Maybe we could ultimately put together a core of “centers” around the U.S. and come up with a program that incorporated both the “haves” as well as the “have nots”. What I mean is that we could charge a fee to all wanting to come to the camp. Those that could pay could focus on the part of the program that might benefit them the most. At the same time those that could not pay could actually work at one of the respective “centers” for a predetermined period of time(to allow room for others) under the management of the facility and in turn get the education of a lifetime at the game of polo from the ground up. Just a thought however I really believe it could work.
I think we as members would have to have some idea of the funds that might be available for further pursuit of the concept.
We would need some class characters to be willing to get paid to teach the game at these “centers”. Ex pros whose reputation preceded them, skilled umpires from our umpire program to come in and give clinics, reps from the equine welfare committee
to come in and teach animal husbandry, etc. I could go on and on however I am already way ahead of our time with this thinking. Lets just see who has some other ideas we can turn into something more effective than what we have right now.
thu227am08, Nove02beWed, 27 Feb 2008 02:16:55 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Amen! I am glad to see that someone in the polo community is capable of having a vision. There is a future for the sport if we allow ourselves to open our eyes and our minds. Times change and so must the USPA’s approach. The membership has been stagnant for years. Time to think.
thu227am08, Nove02beWed, 27 Feb 2008 05:18:04 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Been there, been doing that since 1996
thu227am08, Nove02beWed, 27 Feb 2008 06:19:54 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p02
Lezlie-I know you’ve heard the expression “work smart not hard”, the reason I am so concerned with tracking the results of such programs is to see what impact they have on the growth of membership in the USPA. I figure that after doing it for twelve or thirteen years you would have some idea of your success rate. Otherwise, you’re kidding yourself. You may be very dedicated and enjoy what you’re doing, but if it isn’t accomplishing the goal, it’s a wasted effort. I’m not suggesting that it isn’t a great experience for the kids involved, I’m just suggesting that in the grand scheme of things it is doing nothing to increase the membership of the association. If you haven’t been tracking the program then I can only draw a parallel between you and a hot dog vender who has been selling hot dogs for twelve years and doesn’t know if he’s making a profit. Not a good business practice.
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