stu401am08, Nove04beTue, 01 Apr 2008 08:50:05 +0000 11, 2007...08:46p04
USPA-Either Lead or Get Out of the Way
In recent weeks I have monitored the Message Board at Polozone. I have seen a number of people post messages and make comments. There’s polopro and polonut, polo ace and arena polo. I read about criticisms of the Governors of the USPA, the promotion of high-goal polo over low goal polo, some inside information on the workings of the USPA and some ideas and proposals by the participants in an effort to make the polo community more polo friendly and to charter a course for the future of the game.
My question is, if so many diifferent ideas can be shared on this Message Board, why can’t the “brain trust” within the USPA come up with any ideas? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I agree with each and every one of the posts, but I applaud the fact that direction is being discussed and a future for the game is being offered. Okay, USPA, it’s time for you to put up or get out. Either do the job or get out of the way. There have already been rumblings of a new association that will be responsive to its membership, that will create plan for the future of the association. I would think that the USPA might get the hint. It’s time to step up to the plate or go back to the bench and sit down. Let someone else take your place in the starting lineup. Well, what’s it going to be?
3 Comments
thu409pm08, Nove04beWed, 09 Apr 2008 16:47:52 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
Backhander
Have you ever considered that perhaps they the USPA can’t read? This is a possibility. In your search to find answers to some the questions you and everyone else’s has, there has to be a level of frustration at the USPA’s lack of candor about their aims and intentions. With the upcoming meetings in Florida it will be interesting to see if anyone from the USPA will offer any information to the membership or if they will continue to rely upon the general apathy of the membership in general to allow them to continue along their bumbling ways.
thu410pm08, Nove04beThu, 10 Apr 2008 17:34:49 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
It’s interesting that you should bring up the USPA’s inability to hear the concerns of its membership. It has been abundantly clear over the past several months that there is a growing dissatisfaction with the USPA’s path and vague goals. There have been growing concerns over the management and leadership of the association, its staffing practices and budgetary considerations and lack of direction.
They are reprising their Networking Day on April 19th at the Museum of Polo in Lake Worth, FL. They state that its purpose is to “make contacts and exchange ideas”. They also state that “representatives will also be available to answer you or any of your playing members may have concerning your club in particular or polo in general”.
I would like to think that some of you show up and ask the questions that have been discussed on this blog and a number of other blogs and message boards across the country.
What about legislating the inclusion of American players on US competition at or above the 20-goal level? What are we doing with the millions of dollars raised by Properties? Is the USPA going to offer any financial or managerial support to US teams that might be organized to reclaim the Westchester Cup, the Camacho Cup or the Cup of the Americas (which I undeerstand Argentine Polo Association president Frankie Dorignac has stated will no longer be played for)? Ask about our stagnant membership and ask why the USPA continues to say that the future of polo is in our youth without taking any action to track where the membership comes from or if, indeed, the monies we invest in our youth really pays off.
There will be a series of meetings (go to the USPA website for the April Meeting Schedule) in April in florida that will give you the impression that they are doing something about the many concerns members have, but you’re going to have to pay special attention to see what they have done since these very same meetings last year.
It’s time to hold the leadership of the USPA responsible of their actions-or lack of actions. Step forward and be counted, ask the questions, hold them responsible. There is a fear factor that is prevelant throughout the USPA that keeps people in the shadows and on Message Boards and polo blogs discussing subjects and concerns they are afraid to discuss with their “elected” or “appointed” offici8als, and it has to stop. These people are suppose to be there to assist you, not imtimidate you. It’s time to ask them what they have accomplished since last year and what their course of action is. If they have no viable answers, it’s time to organize and take severe action.
thu410pm08, Nove04beThu, 10 Apr 2008 21:13:44 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
Backhander I couldn’t agree more.
However having their meeting during the Open, and with all of the parties that they are going to and rubbing shoulders with the plastics
hardly makes for a place for the serious discussions that are needed. There are questions that should be and need to be asked and answered.
Unfortunately, I believe that a large number of the Delegates and Governors are in this for their own egos, and find themselves in over their heads. When real problems arise, they need to have the brains and the balls to stand up for their clubs and for the good of the Association.
I would like to think that they want to do what they are there for, lI just don’t think they are sure just what rights they have or what impact they might be able to make on the USPA officials.
If they did thier job it would help insure the future of the USPA. We need to remind ourselves of the rich collection of true horsemen from the past and today who are willing to make sacrifices for the good of the Association-as long as there are no personal agendas.
This alone should make them feel responsible for behaving in the roles they were appointed to.
It is abundantly clear that a number of the current group of USPA officials are upsetting the membership to the point where there is talk of mutiny, even the concept of establishing a new polo association.
With the number of problems facing the USPA and the lack of action, one can’t help but feel frustrated by the management of the USPA.
They have made it a shameful practice to follow their directions, because in following these whimsical and uncoordinated directives, we are in a sense saying we agree, and that it’s ok. Well, it isn’t.
You see, the USPA has the potentual to do so much good, but because of poor leadership and bad judgement is destined to wallow in one failure after another.
If we really want to have our voices heard, it would be better to hold a real meeting at a time and place where real business-not cocktails and parties into the night- could ber conducted. The fact that the meetings are held during the Open merely emphasizes the fact that the focus of the USPA rests on high goal polo, less than 5% of the polo in the country. More importantly it emphasizes the fact that a handful of wealthy patrons seem to be influencing major decisions and policies.
It is time to make the Delegates accountable to their clubs, their players and ultimately the Association, but only if there is a clear direction and the professional staff is qualified to do their jobs (I’d love to see job descriptions for all of the USPA employees) those that still want to make something out of it can stand up to be counted, for the rest, get out of the way and stop pretending.
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