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MattPost subject: Polo Balls 
Posts: 282


We have had a polite but firm request from the Sports Centre that we stop throwing balls on the poolsides during polo training. This is because of the risk of hitting people standing on the poolside, and the possibility of smashing windows or breaking ceiling panels. It is also very irritating when balls 'find' their way onto the pitch during training games!

So, from now on,

PLEASE DO NOT THROW BALLS AROUND AT POLO UNLESS YOU ARE ON THE WATER.

We do appreciate that people want to practice throwing and shooting. We will try to come up with an organised session periodically in the Sports Hall to practice thowing, but in the meantime, any throwing practice will have to be on the water.

Thanks for your cooperation,

Matt

Posted:
Mon 20th Nov, 2006
1:25pm
Edited by Matt on Mon 20th Nov 2006, 1:36pm
GPost subject: Re: Polo Balls 
Posts: 881
AvatarI know we have to do as the Sports Centre and this is directed at them not you. But!

Dull, dull, dull! My throwing's improved shitloads recently from one hand throwing practice and there's not a lot else beneficial to do at polo practice when you're on the pitch for around 30mins maximum.

If careful no one gets hit, no windows get broken (which can and does happen in games anyway) and balls rarely go on the pitch.

Can they not install perspex windows or window guards like the clock guard (which will remove the hazard of windows being smashed in a game) and we agree some kind of rules about throwing practice on the side?

I think we have paid the price for a few people (including me until more recently I suppose, when I think about it) being dicks.
Posted:
Mon 20th Nov, 2006
6:42pm
FrodoPost subject: Re: Re: Polo Balls 
Posts: 743
Avatar

G wrote:


there's not a lot else beneficial to do at polo practice.
If careful no one gets hit, no windows get broken (which can and does happen in games anyway) and balls rarely go on the pitch.
Can they not install perspex windows or window guards like the clock guard (which will remove the hazard of windows being smashed in a game) and we agree some kind of rules about throwing practice on the side?
 

You're right, there's not a great deal of useful things that can be done, which was the main reason for trying out the new friday sessions; they dont cut down the waiting time for tuesdays but they do give people more time on the water. Depending on turnout this friday we may well ask for them back for next term.

However, there are other opportunities for throwing practice and tuesday evenings should not be seen as the only time that this can be done. Sessions will be arranged from time to time to practice throwing in the sports hall.

When you're on the water and a ball comes on, you aren't aware of whether the offender was being careful or not; its all the same - a misplaced ball is a misplaced ball, however misplaced. In recent weeks it has been quite a few per session.

Perspex windows would cost an absolute fortune, as would a big wire frame, which would also be unsightly. The infrequency of breakages means the payback time for any such improvements would be long - far too long for any window "upgrade" to be deemed necessary by the Sports Centre.

Re rules about throwing on the side - such rules are likely to be very difficult to not only to distinguish, but also to monitor and enforce.

Unfortunately, especially while they are in the process of sorting better storage space for us, I think we need to do our best not to annoy them.

Posted:
Mon 20th Nov, 2006
8:17pm
Edited by Frodo on Mon 20th Nov 2006, 8:22pm
GPost subject: Re: Polo Balls 
Posts: 881
AvatarI understand your points, but:

Balls misplaced during practice don't annoy me too much, it's just ones that are thrown on by people pissing around (I have stopped throwing balls at people before the game starts now, honest).

I think the sports centre should support university teams, not make decisions based on time to pay back investment. They must lose a fair bit of heat through those slatted windows, if they needed some persuasion in terms of replacing them being worthwhile. I think a protective frame or flexible shield could be designed to be discrete.

I don't like the 'one rule for all' type stance on no ball throwing. Some people do not behave in a sensible way but I don't think the rest of us should pay the price. Could always suggest that in future:

1) Windows broken by a person are paid for by that person
2) Windows broken by accident during game (eg mis-thrown shot are payed for by the club

That way the sports centre doesn't have to pay.

Finally I do not have time to attend extra practice sessions regularly so my throwing will suffer.
Posted:
Tue 21st Nov, 2006
2:58pm
MattPost subject: Re: Polo Balls 
Posts: 282
I think we should be able to come up with some arrangement. I guess it's the 'unsolicited' random ball throwing that's causing the problem.

I think we should be able to organise some form of throwing practice on the poolside during Tuesday sessions, but we'll have to give it some thought so as not to piss them off. I agree with the most of what you're saying, G.
Posted:
Tue 21st Nov, 2006
3:13pm
FrodoPost subject: Re: Polo Balls 
Posts: 743
AvatarI wasn't meaning to be unnecesarily argumentative, if thats how my previous comments were taken; I also think it sucks, and agree with what you're saying G. hopefully something can be sorted out soon.
Posted:
Tue 21st Nov, 2006
4:31pm
GPost subject: Re: Polo Balls 
Posts: 881
AvatarNo argumentativeness meant. Unfortunately, I can't find a way of writing that is serious but friendly sounding!
Posted:
Tue 21st Nov, 2006
4:58pm