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Event Hosting Guide
Thinking of
Hosting an Event ... here are a few things to consider...
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How many
women are currently playing at your club? The IWPA
recommends at least 4 so that you have a basis for a 2 team or 4
team event. This makes an event easier to run unless someone at the
club is very keen to invite lots of players.
-
How many
women are playing within an 8 hour drive of your club?
Women are prepared to travel long distances to play when an event is
well run and the teams are competitive. Help your women make their
teams - this is often the first obstacle because women are so spread
out and sometimes don't know other women players to invite. The IWPA
is happy to help clubs find team-mates for their players.
-
What handicap
are your local players? The answer to this question helps
you set the level for the tournament.
The IWPA recommends a 1 goal spread to make the event as competitive
as possible and to give all the teams a good opportunity of winning.
For example -3 to -2 or 0 to 1. It is important to set a level that
accommodates all your local players so if your club has 8 or 10 -1
and -2 goal players you will need to set a lower level so that all
the players can play. If it has fewer lower rated players then more
higher rated players can be invited to make up teams and the
tournament can be set at a higher level.
Remember the reason for hosting the event is to improve the ability
and give enjoyment to your club players so they are the top priority
for positions in teams. Setting two flights works well in combining
levels of competition. The A Flight provides good spectator polo and
sets the goal for the less experienced women who can still take part
by competing in the B Flight.
-
When does it
make sense to schedule the event? Women's Polo has proved
to be attractive to press, sponsors and spectators so it works well
to have a women's exhibition or the final of your women's tournament
as the first or second game on one of your big club finals' days or
a stand alone event when you have more than two teams. Try to make
it a weekend when some of your other club teams might be playing
away - there are still some players who are not very supportive of
women and object to giving up their Sunday game slot. Or make it an
end of season finale - at most clubs the women work hard all season
with hospitality, management and grooming so by the end of the year
the rest of the club is ready to reward them.
A women's tournament gives a different mix to the after match
parties so they are always a great way to round off a season or
celebrate the start of a new one. Check the IWPA fixture list for
other women's events - the number of women with handicaps of one or
more is still relatively small so it is best not to clash with
another tournament if you want to encourage a higher level of
competition and visiting teams.
Once you have worked out who wants to
play, what level and when to hold it, the IWPA then recommends you get
your women players involved with helping you to run the event. From
within your local players and supporters set up a committee to take care
of:
-
Sponsorships
- Financial and Product for the Event, Teams and Prizes - there are
many company's that enjoy the opportunity of promoting to women -
the fact that it is a polo event adds to the attraction.
-
Hospitality
- Arrange events for the visiting and local players. Informal
lunches and BBQs for each evening of the tournament make such a
difference and encourage other club members to join in. It is a
great way to unite your club and make sure the players come back
next year.
-
Accommodation
for players and horses - This needs to be very well
organised. If you can't keep them all at the club, each place should
be checked by a member of the committee.
Visiting players should be individually introduced to their hosts.
By starting off on the right foot you will have no problems when you
ask for the horse and/or player accommodation for future events.
-
Prizes
- many local companies are often willing to donate gifts for women
players - health clubs, beauty salons, tack shops. The event is a
good opportunity for promotion and a club can invite the sponsor to
present their prize, put up a banner or even a promotional stand.
Never underestimate how much even the smallest gift will be prized
by the player that wins it and every player should be awarded
something - a promotional club cap or T-shirt means even more when
you have been beaten all weekend.
These are just a few ideas. For further
information please don't hesitate to contact me:
Pippa Grace on
+44 (0) 1276 858 545 or
iwpa@polo.co.uk
The idea for writing this outline as a
guide for clubs was suggested by Chumley for the Polo News Bulletin
Board.
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