Polo Ladies Perform under New Handicap System

Polo Ladies Perform under New Handicap System at the Harcourts International

The Harcourts Ladies Polo International will be held on Sunday, February 14 at Cambridge Polo Grounds from 3pm. The tournament will be the first ladies match in the country to be played under the new Ladies handicap system. The system has already been adopted in the UK, Argentina, America, Italy, France and Singapore. It was introduced to align female skill levels when ladies compete in female only matches and tournaments.

Globally female polo players have increased significantly in recent years. Top high goal female players like Renn Browne, Nina Clarkin and Missy Brown play professionally, and travel the world to compete in the ladies polo circuit.

The introduction of the ladies handicaps will undoubtedly attract increased female participation of polo throughout New Zealand, and break barriers to an otherwise male dominated sport. In additional the new handicap system aims to introduce more sponsors for female polo, as the sport incurs significant financial investment.

Last year the England vs New Zealand International played at Kihikihi was billed as a 1-goal match. This year, using the women's handicapping formula, the match, featuring teams at the same NZPA handicap level as last year, will be a 13-goal match.

England will play New Zealand in what promises to be a tight battle with eight strong, well-mounted ladies on the field at 3pm. Spectators are encouraged to head to Cambridge and take a picnic for a great afternoon of polo on Valentines Day.

The competition proceeds NZ Polo Week, and the Land Rover New Zealand Polo Open (Sunday February 21), that commences on Tuesday 16 February at Auckland Polo Club in Clevedon.
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FURTHER DETAILS
ENGLAND vs NEW ZEALAND Ladies International
Sunday 14th February, 3pm (Keyte Watson Tournament polo throughout the day)
Cambridge Polo Grounds, Lamb Street, Cambridge

Teams with a new ladies handicap are:

ENGLAND
Felicity Watson 1
Harri McKelvie 3
Lottie Lammacraft 4
Lucy Taylor 5

NEW ZEALAND
Emma Calder 3
Maddie Rankin 3
Renn Erceg 3
Missy Browne 4

POLO OPEN 2016 TICKET INFORMATION
www.iticket.co.nz
General Admission Tickets $40 per person: include Polo exhibition matches & finals, entry to the Hill, Car Parking and Official After party - limited tickets available.
WXC Westpac Rescue Marquee: Hosted by WXC $195 ticket includes lunch, drinks and entry into the Polo Open.
Orsini VIP Marquee $190 per person: Privately hosted in Orsini Marquee with bubbles on arrival and food included from Non Solo Pizza. SOLD OUT
Boot Parks: Almost sold out. Contact Club Manager Hannah Marshall for details.
VIP and Corporate Hospitality: Available please contact Hannah Marshall for further details

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