Go-Ride Polo!
On 28th October, eleven participants from Victory CC, VC Jubilee and Sutton CC wielded their mallets for a day of fun at Herne Hill Stadium, learning the sport of Bicycle Polo. It was a great chance to do something different now that most of the cycling disciplines are resting for the winter. Riders were fortunate to have the expertise of Peter Wall in attendance, who was the General Secretary of the Bicycle Polo Association of Great Britain and has been involved with the sport for around 53 years! Skills such as dribbling, passing and trapping the ball were learnt and the skills were put to the test with some very entertaining games! Peter reminisces over a sport that was once included in the Olympics but is now almost forgotten in the world of cycling.
‘With many versions of polo played throughout the world today, it is hard to believe the fact that bicycle polo was first played at the Scalp in Ireland in 1891 by cyclists wanting to keep fit through the winter. Four years later it had spread like an epidemic to England as the upper classes took it up. It was never meant to be a rough game, but the newspapers of the day commented that such was the competitiveness between players that most “ended up on their opponents bike”.
Ten years later the adoption of rudimentary rules meant the game was to become more skilful and cycling clubs in England became involved. The first landmark was in 1901 when Ireland beat England 10 – 5 at Crystal Palace. In 1908 Ireland beat Germany 3 – 1 in an Olympic Games match at Shepherds Bush.
The top clubs groomed members to ride hard and be good bike handlers on the road and track. This was especially so on the polo field and this form of cycle sport became very popular. Before and after World War II, it was customary for cycling clubs up and down the country to use this very competitive game to keep their riders fit during the winter and many teams and leagues sprang up. So well did the sport thrive, that National Champions during that period, the Norwood Paragon CC, appeared on cigarette card collections.
In 1948, bicycle polo had London League fixtures played in the top stadiums during the summer months, and many recruits, like me, took an interest through this.
The popularity of the sport has been up and down over the years, but polo took off again in the ‘sixties, when front page publicity sparked an interest following a first-class match at Smiths Lawn, Windsor, in front of Her Majesty the Queen and family.
Gradually though, the game’s popularity in this country dwindled again. Bicycle polo still exists today in a different, more technical, format to that of yesteryear. Various versions are played worldwide. However, the rules have had to be amended because we live in a society quick to sue for the slightest injury, and I can understand how it has had to become a gentler, non-contact sport. It is still an exciting game to play and with further modification and simplification, bicycle polo could, indeed, thrive again.’
Polo is a superb way to improve bike handling skills in a fun setting. If anyone is interested in Bicycle Polo, please contact me on johnscripps@britishcycling.org.uk
