OUPC in Review Michaelmas 2016


Note from the Chairman II
The last time I wrote at the end of Trinity 2016, OUPC had just come out of one of the most – if not, the most – successful seasons in its illustrious 142-year history, as well as becoming a Discretionary Full Blue sport. It is fitting that as I write to you again, it is perhaps after the most successful Michaelmas in recent memory – starting from the very beginning, with a record-breaking 600+ sign-ups at the freshers’ fair. No doubt, these successes have only been made possible through the tireless efforts and dedication of the Committee and the support of our partners, to whom I am very grateful. The Committee have put together a review of this term, which I hope you find to be a good read. From OUPC, Oxford Polo, and our partners, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Issa Dasu Patel Chairman 2016–17
Club Contact Details email: web: facebook: twitter: instagram:
polo.club@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk www.oxforduniversitypoloclub.com fb.com/oxforduniversitypoloclub @OUPoloClub @oxforduniversitypoloclub
Committee 2016–17 President Senior Member
David Walton Masters Jim Hall II, Said Business School
Chairman Captain Secretary Treasurer Polo Manager Fixtures Officer Social Secretary External Relations Officer Membership & Alumni Officer
Issa Dasu Patel, Lady Margaret Hall Louis Maddison, St Hugh’s College Martyna Zelek, Jesus College Aurelia Vandamme, Keble College James Coates, St Hugh’s College Charlie Hitchman, Magdalen College Heather Winsor, Brasenose College Sally Schwartz, St Catherine’s College Zihan Xu, Green Templeton College
Coach
David Ashby
Ball Presidents
Sarah White, St Catherine’s College & Martyna Zelek, Jesus College
Tasters & lessons With over 100 people having attended tasters and a wait list of over 20 more, we were delighted to see so many people take up polo with OUPC, many of whom had never ridden before! It has always been a key aim of this Committee to introduce polo to people who never would have thought of taking it up and we are so glad to have been able to realise this. Lessons this term have been running nearly every day of the week, at all levels, with over 60 people playing per week. Next term promises to be just as busy, if not more‌
Fixtures Fixtures this term too have very much been record-breaking. With teams playing nearly every weekend both against other universities and at Rugby Polo Club, OUPC has enjoyed great success. Here are the results for the term‌ Rugby 0-goal: 24-9 win ULU Intermediate: 11-7 win ULU Novice: 15-7 win Rugby 2-goal: 32-17 win Winter Varsity Intermediate: 16-3 win Winter Varsity Upper Novice: 10-9 win Winter Varsity Lower Novice: 6-7 loss on penalties Congratulations to all of our players and a big thank you to David, Trust, and Sambulo for the fantastic ponies and support. 
Socials OUPC’s social calendar has been just as busy as our polo calendar, from casual drinks and eventful crewdates, to black-tie dinners – all followed by the best nights out in Oxford, with great support from our partners, Varsity Events.
Stash It certainly has been stash galore this term, with 76 members (that’s over 50%!) buying our gorgeous new La Martina stash. We’ll be launching an exciting new social media campaign too once the order arrives, so do keep an eye out.
Left: Captain, Louis Maddison, and Fixtures Officer, Charlie Hitchman, in OUPC stash. Right: world-renowned film director, Michael Bay (Transformers), rocking the OUPC cap.
Farewell & thank you This term, OUPC says farewell to several people who have been a very large part of the Club over the past few years: Dr Dunja Aksentijevic (Senior Member, 2009–2016), Tom Meyrick (Coach, 2014–2016), George Trust Mangena & Sambulo Mangena (Grooms, 2014– 2016).
In the time that they have been with us, all have given a lot, both in time and devotion, to OUPC, for which we are all very grateful. Dr Aksentijevic, in her post as Senior Member, has helped to organise dinners, newsletters, acted as a negotiator, Old Blues liaison, photographer, and archivist. Tom, during his time with OUPC, has coached some of our best players, as well as bringing complete beginners through the ranks of OUPC, and Trust & Sambulo have provided invaluable support to the players and members. All will be dearly missed and we wish them the very best and look forward to welcoming them at future events.
Our Partners
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Oxford Polo La Martina Guards Polo Club Kirtlington Park Polo Club Calcutta Polo Club Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Club Cambridge University Polo Club Varsity Events Polo Times Tatler Zipcar Tilt Cashew