UKPA Tours Page

In Bound Tour - Australia V UK Test Matches

When? July 2008
Where? Kent and Essex, UK
Who competed? To read up on the Australian Team - Click here

The UK team consisted of:

Men's: Guy Robertson, Hamish Michael, Greg Sergeant, Martin Brooks

Ladies: Sophie Lodder, Lucy Shell, Debbie Harris, Ruth Jones

The Aussie's walked away winners, winning all 4 test matches, however 2 matches were incredibly close and was a great from the young UK side.

read the test match report at Kent

USA Matsters Tour to Florida....

When? Feb 2008
Where? Ocala, Florida, USA
Who competed? Heather Kelly, Jayne Fookes and Rachel Imber, all of Solent Polocrosse Club
Read the report.....

After the Nationals prize-giving an invitation came up for a masters tournament in Florida in February.  Where's the decision????  Sun, horses and partying or stay at home mucking out in the cold & wet?

So on 15th February, the UK ladies team, consisting of Heather Kelly, Jayne Fookes and Rachel Imber left a cold wet Gatwick airport for sunny Florida.  W e arrived in a very warm sunny Orlando at about 4.30pm. Rachel our ace driver got us on the way north to a small village just below Ocala, we had a slight detour out the airport, but that got our ace driver time to adjust, we had a few strange look as, probably because our car knew we were Brits and made us feel at home by driving on our side of the road !!

We arrived at countryside stables, the home of Janice and Vinnies, of Goof Times Polocrosse Club and what a great place, our hosts were so excited we had arrived and made the trip all the way from the UK.
On getting there we also met the Canadians that we would be playing against and bunking with at countryside stables, what a nice bunch they turned out to be, so easy to get along with. So a big hi to Sue, Alan, Dave, Anna, Debbie, Pam, Ralph (who said i looked like prince Charles?! Ann would have been better, anyway from then on i was called Charles) not forgetting Dessie and Faith.

That evening we ate out with everyone and got to meet the South African players, the famous Bomber was also there, rackets, bridles, bits, saddles you name it he’s got it.

The next few days were spent playing polocrosse, riding, more riding, boy did we need the practice, great fun. We did venture out to various tack shops and our favorite place the tractor shop (not quite what it sounds like) four visits later. Most evenings we had a beer or two and enjoyed our new friends, talking of course about polocrosse. The Irish chaps arrived later in the week, another great bunch, what a laugh they were, it was so nice to Sharon Kennedy, I wont say the only sane one!! I wonder if she wore that hat skiing in the end??

 Friday soon arrived, off we went to try our mounts for the tournament, they trucked them in from near and far, arriving in great long swan neck trailers, with about 15 on board. All polo ponies. We were matched up to suitable ponies. They were fine considering they hadn't’t ever seen a polocrosse racket before and were asked to adjust there and now. Heather’s pony wasn't very sure at first, but was great the next day.

Even though Heather’s back was in pretty bad shape, well done Heather we no you were in agony.

 The tournament at Lord Lyall's grounds got off to a late start, because it was like a blooming monsoon sat morning, peeing down one min then hot sun and blue sky. The play was very good, we had good chukkas, the whole tournament was very well run, the umpiring, goal judging and tables all ran well. We also did a big parade on Sunday and carried our union jack with pride, flying the flag and all that. So a big thank you to everyone that helped org anise the masters tournament especially Janice & Vinnie we no how hard you worked to pull it off.

I certainly would recommend to anyone if they get the chance to go to Florida GO.

....This is your roving reporter Jayne Fookes signing off ( when can i go again somewhere else? )

Also Many thanks to Oncology Imaging Systems for kindly sponsoring the team.

TOP

2007 World Cup

When? April 2007
Where? Morgan Park, Warwick, Queensland, Australia
Who competed? Mens Team: Guy Robertson, Jason Burbridge, Hamish Michael, Martin Brookes, Reserve: James Roberston
Ladies Team: Shelley King, Debbie Harris, Sarah Simkin, Sophie Lodder, Reserve: Lucy Shell

Well the UK World Cup team came away with an impressive 2nd in the World Ranking!!! they beat the Kiwies, The Zims and the Yanks...but tough competition from the Aussie's meant they slipped just behind and came away with some silver trophies!

Match reports here:
UK V Zimbabwe
UK V Australia
UK V USA
UK V New Zealand (Semi finals)
UK V Australia (Finals!!!)