|
Women players represent one of the largest growing sectors of polo today. With the overwhelming number of new women polo players coming into the sport, it was only natural that there should be events where players would have the opportunity to compete against the best women polo players in the world.
The International Women's Polo Association
IWPA History
Following it's initial conception in 1989 and its formal UK launch in April 1997, the IWPA now has representatives in 31 countries worldwide and is involved in the organisation of 10 International tournaments.
The Association's main sponsor is the Ascot Park Polo Club which supports its Founder and Chairman, Pippa Grace and funds the Association's administrative costs.
Aims
The Association assists with the International development of the growing number of women players. It aims are to:
Increase the number of new women players through scholarships and the identification of international playing opportunities;
Encourage the provision of facilities for female players at clubs around the world;
Increase the level of sponsorship and financial support directed towards women's polo and its players;
Promote the use of female Professional Players;
Encourage the development of National Women's Polo Development Committees.
Claire Tomlinson was brought up in the world of polo, her father was Arthur Lucas who ran the Woolmers Park Polo Club. She started playing polo seriously at Oxford University where she captained the Oxford University Mixed Team and the English Woman’s Polo Team. She has 3 children, Emma, Luke and Mark. Emma is a vet and plays off a 2 handicap, Luke is 7 goals and Mark 5 goals.
In 1986, Tomlinson attained a 5-goal rating, the highest handicap ever reached by a woman. Throughout her polo history she has played all levels of competitive polo from low to high goal matches, all over the world. Tomlinson currently plays competitive polo at a 2-goal rating.
Tomlinson is also a Senior HPA (Hurlingham Polo Association) Approved Coach, based at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, where she coaches and trains polo players, young and old alike. She is an England Team Coach and has coached the English team to many victories, including:
1997 European Championships in Milan – from 8 other countries
1999 European Championships in Chantilly
Tomlinson's most notable achievement as a coach was England's victory over Argentina in Palermo, Argentina, April 2002, in a test match.
|
