How to set up a club

Only members of an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club may become associate members of the HPA, and thus be entitled to an HPA handicap and any HPA insurance cover that may be in place for members. Any new club must apply to the Stewards for provisional affiliation before it can accept any members. After two full seasons, the Stewards may recommend to Council that a club should be granted full affiliation. If approved by the Council, the Club is then entitled to a representative on the Council, and to apply for a grant, provided that it is a members’ club.

1.    Anyone applying for provisional affiliation must complete Annex A to demonstrate that the proposed club has:

a) A suitable ground with secure tenure.

b) A full set of rules, which show whether it is a members' or private club. A draft set of rules that can be used as a guide is at Annex B.

c) A Committee and staff structure that will be able to comply with the rules and regulations of the HPA. In particular, each club must have a dedicated fax and ready access to email. It must also have a treasurer (preferably independent), a chief umpire and a welfare officer.

d) A suitably qualified Handicap Committee (at least 3 people).

e) If possible, a Qualified Coach or Instructor.

f) Some prospective members.

2.     Once the application has been received, the club grounds and facilities will be subject to an initial inspection by an official of the HPA.  During the first or second season of provisional affiliation the ground(s) may also be subject to further inspection by a turf specialist, in order that they can be assessed and graded as to the level of polo for which they are suitable.  Recommendations for improvements to the ground(s) will be made. If a club wishes to be recommended for an upgrade to a higher level, a further inspection will then be necessary. Arena clubs will not be subject to a grounds visit. The costs of any inspections shall be met by the club.

3.     The current club fees are as follows:

Entrance Fee:                Outdoor:           £2000
                                    Arena:              £500

Annual Affiliation Fee:    High Goal:         £2200
                                   Intermediate:     £825
                                   Low:                  £275
                                   Arena:               £125

If  a club applies for affiliation as an outdoor and arena club at the same time, only one entrance fee of £2000 will be charged; otherwise entrance fees will be charged separately as above.

4.         When provisional affiliation has been granted by the Stewards, the club may only then admit members to the HPA, ensuring that they all sign the HPA declaration at Annex C. No person may play in any match, organised game or practise chukka at or conducted by an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club in the  UK or  Ireland unless the required membership formalities have been completed and the HPA informed. If an individual belongs to more than one club, he only pays one HPA subscription.

5.         The club will appear in the following year's Blue Book, with a note saying that it is "provisionally affiliated".

Annexes

Annex A – Questionnaire
Annex B - Draft Polo Club Rules
Annex C - HPA Declaration

Private Grounds

Please click here for further information on the use of private grounds for matches.