thu505pm08, Nove05beMon, 05 May 2008 17:31:44 +0000 11, 2007...08:46p05
Polo Canada Faces Problems Too
In light of the recent criticism of the USPA, and reflecting on the Association’s meetings two weeks ago and the fact that no information on those meetings have yet been released it would be easy to wade back in to a confrontation with the mimes who are in charge of disbursing information for the USPA, and we will. But let’s take a look to the North before we go after the USPA again.
The Canadian FIP team is returning after suffering three straight losses in the World Cup competition (remember, Canada beat the United States to go), and members of Polo Canada are asking for answers.
I found it interesting, however, that while discussing the perceived failures of the Canadian team in Mexico a number of bigger, more important issues emerged on the message board of the website thepolopost.com that are threatening to rock the very bedrock of the Canadian Polo Association.
There is a concern about the fact that the Canadian Polo Association has no constitution, and appears to be selecting and electing its officers from a small group of cronies who pay little or no attention to the members of the 17 clubs and purported 280 members.
There is a movement to create a new mission statement and create a constitution committee that will write a governing document for the association that will insure democratic representation.
Granted, it may be a microcosm of the USPA, given its limited membership, but it is suffering the same woes that US players deal with on an annual basis.
The "leadership" is non-representative of the membership. There has been no appreciable growth in over 30 years. The officers seem to be self appointed and re-elect themselves. The efforts of the PTFC (Polo Training Foundation Canada) have created no growth at all.
If you go to the website and make your way to the message board, click General Chat where you will want to select "Time to reflect or a call to action?"
There you will read the concerns of Canadian polo players over the direction of their association and the future of polo in Canada.
The Canadians, however, seem poised for either major reform or a revolution of sorts that will return the Association to the membership, wresting it from the control of their own "good ole boy" network.
It certainly is something to consider, eh?
5 Comments
thu506am08, Nove05beTue, 06 May 2008 03:11:41 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p05
Ah yes, cronyism, it may not be perfect but it works,…for those who are in the group, at least. As for the rest, moan all you want but until you have the resources that Crony & his pals have - good luck to ya.
Polo for the good fun of the game and the rest of it seems to be crap. What has Polo Canada done for the players in the hinterland? Not much really, but one must not ask what PC can do for me but what can I do for PC (apologies to JFK). There’s probably another hundred players out there that are members of their local club and not paying dues to PC. Why, because they cannot see any value to it, then or now. The world of the Canadian Polo Assoc. revolves around the Toronto Polo Club and the Calgary Polo Club. The rest don’t matter; never have, never will (patronizing at best). As for the FIP team, it was the best the country had to offer, by and large, and they certainly could’ve got the job done and did in the zone playoff last year. What happened is disappointing and the answers are not clear (at this point) as to the reasons for the poor results. Don’t expect to see a groundswell of support for a new organization, the country is far too big and fractious to pull that one off. What will happen is the players from regional clubs will continue to visit each other and play tournaments in the summer, enjoy each other’s company and play polo for the good fun of the game. Politics & organizations be damned, this is a pastime for enjoyment. In this country it is all too brief to be agonizing over what those who have the wherewithall want to do for their own amazement.
thu507am08, Nove05beWed, 07 May 2008 06:58:37 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p05
Ball Chase you are making a number of statements based on false assumptions. For instance you assume that those that want to create a transparent, accountable representative association do not have the resources? They do, however they are being continually shut out of the process by those that want to maintain the status quo, which as you said is based on “Cronyism” and what about the new Patron or sponsor that wants to enter or invest in the sport. How will they perceive this assocation will they be able to get involved or will they also be shut out? How many Patrons and/or sponsors have we scared away? For the past 30 years most equine/sport disciplines have continually expanded its membership with the exception of Polo. I believe we have to ask ourselves why?
You also mention our Canadian Team, “that it was the best we had to offer” how do you know? Did Polo Canada run try-outs? Maybe it would have been the same outcome but how do you know? Maybe you would have found someone that might be promosing for the next championships? Maybe you would have motivated some junior player to work harder and practice more so that they could try out for the next team? Maybe you would have inspired a jumper or western rider to start up polo but you didn’t because there where no try outs. We could have used a try out to market the sport.
Last but not least you talk about “the country is far too big and fractious” well have you visited http://www.polocontacts.com this is a world wide polo community. People are talking polo polo polo throughout the world, making new friends, sharing pictures, hooking up in places like Australia, Germany, England, China. Give me a break polo brings more diverse people together than another other sport. You bump into a fellow polo player and you are instant friends. Open your eyes to what can be and not what is.
thu510am08, Nove05beSat, 10 May 2008 04:10:57 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p05
Excuse me but perhaps the assumptions are in the court of the accuser…XXX. The crony theme reference is from the initial blog from backhander and rightfully so, as these groups tend to attract like-minded and like-situated individuals in society. Nothing wrong with that, just the way of the world, and let’s give credit where it’s due as many of these people do make meaningful contributions for the right reasons. Whether or not they work out as planned is the difficult bit, but not entirely within the control of anyone. Better to have tried and failed than not at all.
A bit of idealism in the world community of polo - don’t believe we’re talking about the same thing there.
Growth - there’s a big difference in putting together a horse or two for english or western disciplines than there is for 4-12 or more, for the purposes of polo. It’s simply out of reach for most folks. Newsflash Rip Van - polo saw exponential growth in the eighties and areas of it are still expanding.
I stand by the summation of ‘the best Canada had to offer’ in a 14 goal FIP team. A couple of good anchors at five goals and a well experienced two plus a couple of young gun two’s proven on the collegiate circuit. There was a second spare who’s a two and pretty useful too. Don’t know where you’re from but, clearly, you are not aware of the depth chart in the frozen north, which is thin at best.
Not trying to change the world, agree with your camaraderie statement but the agendas are just plain different both in your view and across the Dominion of Canada. Highly unlikely for many of the players on opposite ends of the country or in the same region to ever meet on the field because of the distances and logistics. Internationally, on vacation, more likely to meet other polistas. This is reserved for the few with, wait for it…. the wherewithall.
Finally, I would suggest that anyone who wanted to get involved to make a difference would be welcomed, as this is a volunteer and philanthropic output. Example: John Goodman - started in Houston in the late eighties, played in Palm Springs, moved it to Florida and look, he’s taken over where John Oxley and Bill Ylvisaker left off in high goal. Now, it may be the billionaires’ league but that’s the league he’s in. I enjoy following the high goal season in Florida, never been there, may never but it’s excellent. Just wish they could film games like they do in the UK.
All assumptions aside, I hope you have a great season, I’ll endeavor to do the same.
thu510pm08, Nove05beSat, 10 May 2008 16:45:07 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p05
Ball chase given that we could debate this all summer and I’d rather be playing polo I will just make some general observations “Better to have tried and failed than not at all”. I do not disagree with this however there needs to be some mechanism of truly evaluating performance. What has worked, what hasn’t and how do we improve it. An annual report card if you wish and not just praising all of the good work done.
Yes there was some growth in the sport during the 80s (in the US not Canada) and yes you “may” be right that it was probably the best team we could have put together however you missed my point. Newsflash right back at you. I might be frozen but I’m not stupid! You seem to be to content with the status quo or have just given up. Maybe its you that has become a little stiff and rigid. I will however agree that the UK do a great job of filming. We in the North are thawed and ready to complain about the heat. Now I better get my ass in gear as I’m playing today ! PS right back at you. Have a good season.
thu511pm08, Nove05beSun, 11 May 2008 18:20:54 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p05
Hello Dear Ball Chase;
Glad to hear your input, even if it is not my view here in Canada although I understand why you think like you do .
You see we had an FIP team that only represented two clubs in Canada I know they are great riders (I have ridden with some of them) and I know they were very happy to be part of the FIP team and the whole wonderful experience of Mexico. But the issue of not having any other clubs participate in the selection must weigh on their minds, were they really the best? This they will never know because they did not compete for their place.
I know of at least 13 players who did not have a chance to be part of this selection and are wondering why. What better way to garner interest in a sport than test tryouts, what better way to raise polo’s profile, how much better the selected players would feel, and how much greater the enthusiasm and support for the team would there have been. I’m afraid cronyism limits and never expands anything.
That the board of Polo Canada continue to bully and dominate and ignore its members is certainly one reason why Polo has not grown in Canada this past 25 years. A board clearly working on behalf of its members, one that is transparent and accountable would make all the difference for the future of polo here.
You use the name of Mr. Goodman as if that supports your argument; that polo is only a game for the super wealthy, what rubbish. Do you really think he has benefitted polo among the rich as well as those of more modest means. When he single handedly excluded one of Polo’s greatest players from the 2007 open, and ensured a Canadian couldn’t be in the winning team.
People that truly do care about polo, and love the game for what it is, horsemanship, horses, camaraderie, excitement, need I go on, don’t fear the voices of others being heard. Good people make certain, that if they are in command of an organization they make it fair and work for its betterment, one that its members defend.
Unfortunately these organizations can also be a breeding ground for power and abuse when the positions in them are filled by egos and arrogance.
I challenge you Ball Chase, come out of the closet, don’t hide behind the mantra of centuries of inaction puffing on your Cuban cigar, if you really love polo do something about it.
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