The ‘Sport of Kings’ is coming to Takapuna beach and promises a line up of an exciting three match exhibition series that will also see some of the country’s female players pit themselves against their male counterparts.

Event Director Amy Calway of Event-Horizon says the opportunity to showcase what is renowned the word over as an elite sport and mostly the domain of men will not only aim to draw in a crowd new to the sport but also showcase the emerging prowess of women in this sport.

With team’s comprising high goal male players alongside female players, this exhibition styled variation on the main game is sure to offer up an exciting new event for summer on the Shore as well as promoting the game to an audience who may not otherwise have considered attending a match.

Amy says “our own ‘high goal’ is to produce an exceptional event where newcomers to the sport can experience the excitement of polo in an easily accessible and fun environment. We are ultimately hoping that this will attract more people to the sport both in terms of grass roots players and spectators for other events such as the prestigious New Zealand Polo Open which is held in Clevedon in February.”

True to the relaxed beach vibe that the North Shore, and especially Takapuna is renowned for, the Takapuna Beach Polo offers a unique hospitality and entertainment experience to its guests with beachside styled picnic hampers with what Amy describes as being “laden with polo watching essentials.” Local corporates and groups of friends are encouraged to ‘pony up their posse’ to make a minimum of ten, and enjoy all of the polo action along with additional entertainment from the exclusive ‘hillside’ zone and experience a novel and exciting alternative to the traditional pre-Christmas hospitality and office parties.

Key sponsors of the event include the North Shore’s own Harcourts Cooper & Co, who will also have naming rights on one of the teams. Managing Director, Martin Cooper says “The North Shore truly is a great place to live and it’s even greater now with the news that Takapuna Beach, which already hosts the Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series, will be the venue for New Zealand’s first ever beach polo tournament in December this year.  We’re excited to be able to support bringing polo to the North Shore community and can’t wait to see our Harcourts Cooper & Co team take on the others.  We’ll be there supporting our team so come along and join us - it will be epic!”

Adding more than a drop of glamour and sparkle to the event will be Auckland’s one and only ‘Champagne Lady’, Anne Batley-Burton with her Jacquart champagne being the official champagne of the event.

While beach polo is played in many of the world’s most glamorous beach destinations in the world such as Miami and Dubai, Amy credits the New Zealand beach polo pioneers of Porongahau in the Hawkes Bay as being the first to popularize this exciting variation of the sport in New Zealand.

The intention now is to add a touch of glamour and excitement to city side beaches in what she intends to be a nationwide series. “This is definitely not a one off and our team is passionate to share this exciting variation of the sport across the shores of New Zealand’s most popular beach destinations, starting with Auckland’s jewel in the crown, Takapuna.”

https://www.event-horizon.co.nz/beach-polo