My Views on the USPA 2006 April Meeting in Florida Follow up
May 23rd, '06
Good to see that the results of the '06 summer handicap changes and the Image Survey results have been posted on the U.S.P.A. Web site. Very interesting that only 512 USPA members responded. The demographics were mostly 36-50 years of age, mainly B to 1 goal players and no one over 5 goals. The handicap changes were made and posted very quickly after the Handicap Meeting.
The survey results showed some similar and different views between leadership and the responding members. Views on weakness of Polo – Expensive – leadership 23% members 32%. Elitism leadership 12.5% members 26%. Public Access leadership 11% members 10%. Equine Treatment leadership 9% members 13%
Threats to Polo Image – Misperception of Equine Abuse leadership 29% members 29% Expense leadership 17% members 30% low goal/budget players feel ignored leadership 3% members 10%
Opportunities - Kids & Horses leadership 11% members 10% National TV leadership 8.5% members 33% Local Media leadership 7 % members 15% Promote Arena/Stadium Polo leadership 7% members 9%
You need to read the survey, see what are the HOT BUTTON ISSUES, WHAT WAS LEARNED, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE – only you can contribute, much message board conversation needs to be part of the solution, only works when members get involved.
Handicaps were posted, you may not agree with either changes made or not made but again it only works when players/clubs make meaningful contributions to the system.
The Arena Committee has a group working with the Arena Handicap sub committee to see if we can get enough people involved to get more/better representation in all circuits. Attention will be on lower goal handicaps since that is where most of the arena play is taking place.
California Polo Club will soon be announcing their plans for hosting a USPA Delegates Cup Arena Tournament – you should plan on participating/attending, they do a first class job of putting on tournaments. Look for their announcement with full details.
The Arena Committee will soon have their survey questions for members and clubs. We hope we get more than 13% response and a broader cross section of player ability than the first survey. Remember we can only work with what we get.
There has been a lot of moaning and groaning on this message board about lack of response from USPA. Here is your chance to have your views heard. We will take the responses and act on them, but only those that come within the system. Make your voice be heard and count, answer the survey and give us your views.
Arena Committee has a webpage on the USPA Website (arena news) and email address, arena@us-polo.org for communicating Arena Committee happenings and responding to player’s questions. Have good cross representation of Arena Committee members on other committees so the Arena Committee can work with other committee’s and not duplicate efforts. We will respond to your messages.
