New Zealand Polo Squad Announced

News Release 29th January 2007

New Zealand Polo Squad Announced
To Compete in Federation of International Polo (Fip) World Cup Zone Final

The New Zealand Polo Association has announced the 10 man squad to compete in the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Cup Zone D final tournament to be held in Clevedon, Auckland, from February 25 - March 04 2007.

The New Zealand Polo squad is:

Angus McKelvie –Rangitikei Polo Club, Feilding

Robert Watson –Kihikihi Polo Club, Kihikihi

James Watson – Cambridge Polo Club, Cambridge

Craig Wilson - Waimai Polo Club, Te Akau, Waikato

Lachie Hunter – Wanstead Polo Club, Waipukurau

Michael Henderson –Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon

David Miller –Wanstead Polo Club, Waipukurau

Kit Brooks – Cambridge Polo Club, Cambridge.

Guy Higginson – Waipara Polo Club, North Canterbury

Tom Hunt – Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon

For the first time, New Zealand will host the six day International event which will see teams from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, India and New Zealand compete to win a place in the FIP World Cup final to be played in Mexico in September 2007.

The selection process for the New Zealand squad is based on players handicaps and performance in matches over the last six months and has been narrowed down to 10 as required by FIP.

New Zealand Polo Association President, Paul Kay said “We’ve selected a strong New Zealand squad and we’re especially encouraged to see such a high calibre of young Kiwi players coming up through the ranks.

“It’s going to be a tough competition, with a ‘healthy’ rivalry between all five teams, but we’re confident our New Zealand team will make it to the final in Mexico,” he added.

Both Auckland Polo Club’s Fisher Field and Smith’s Lawn at Clevedon have undergone substantial upgrades to accommodate the fifty world-class players and 120 polo ponies needed for the tournament.

Chris Jones, Chairman of the Tournament Committee, said “The FIP World Cup Zone D event is a great opportunity for us to showcase not only our players and high standard of ponies, but also New Zealand as an ideal location for future events so we hope the public will also come along, add to the excitement and enjoy the amazing skills that the players and horses will be demonstrating during the tournament.”

Polo is the fastest team sport played today and New Zealand Polo Ponies are ranked amongst the best in the world and exported to many countries.

The World Cup Zone D Finals are being held from 23rd February – 4th March. Informal matches will be played on Sunday 25th with the tournament starting Monday 26th February. Final Day is on Sunday 4th March.

Each team, including the New Zealand team, will draw its pool of 24 horses from five pools of horses of equal quality, so that no player will get to ride his own horses during the competition. The horses are being loaned by players from all over the country, for this special occasion. The horse draw function will be held on Friday 23rd February at the players welcoming ceremony to be hosted by the Manukau City Council.

For further details on the tournament please visit; www.fippolonz.com

ENDS

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