Naval War College Polo Club’s November Showdown

October 26, 2004…Portsmouth, RI....The annual November Tournament is fast approaching for the Naval War College Polo Club.  Behind the scenes, there has been plenty of strategic planning and practicing for beginner and intermediate level players as participants from the Naval War College Polo Club prepare for the fall session's tournament action.

During the first week of November, the NWC Polo Club will host their seasonal tournament, the culmination of the autumn polo session.  Playoff rounds for the three intermediate teams will take place on Monday, Nov. 1^st at 3:30pm in round-robin format, and the final rounds will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 3^rd at 3:30pm.  On Friday, Nov. 5^th, the beginners’ tournament is tentatively scheduled for 3:30pm for playoff and final rounds.

Each team is comprised of three players and will play a seven-minute chukker against each of the other teams in the playoff rounds.  The final rounds will repeat the sequence of chukkers, and the winner is determined as the team with the most wins.  In the event of a tie, the teams will take penalty shots. 

The NWC community and prospective polo students are invited to cheer on the teams at the Newport Polo Club’s private arena in Portsmouth.   For more information on the tournament and the NWC Polo Cub, contact: club manager Steve Smith at 401-841-2729 (smiths@nwc.navy.mil) or club president Captain Steve Kornatz 401-841-6460 (kornats@nwc.navy.mil) .

Established in 1993 through the Newport Polo Club's polo training program, the Naval War College Polo Club’s achievements include participants who have gone on to play on the US Military Polo Team and compete internationally.  Also, it has been host several times to the US Military Inter-Service Cup polo tournament.  Membership is open to anyone with a military association in the Newport area.  The next session of polo instruction will be offered in the spring.

Far from being what is typically described as an elitist activity, the NWC Polo Club draws from all aspects of the War College and other Navy commands in Newport.    Membership is comprised of not only the staff and students, but also from a mixture of Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force military and civilian personnel.   The NWC Polo Club also boasts a flawless safety record, a tribute to the students as well as the professional level of supervision over their training.   ### 

Polo Series Ships 1000 lbs. of Relief to Jamaica

October 8, 2004, Portsmouth, RI…The Newport International Polo Series raised 1000 pounds of donated emergency supplies, which were successfully shipped to badly-hit areas of Jamaica after Hurricane Ivan.

 “The Jamaican Polo Team is one of the most popular in our Polo Series, and we knew that our fans would be very supportive of this cause,” stated Dan Keating, President of the Polo Series.  The truckload of donated emergency supplies and non-perishable foods were collected at the final match of the polo series on Sept. 25^th.

 “We know that Jamaica is not a wealthy country and their government can’t write a big check to pay for its recovery. It will take a lot of outside help to restore a minimum level of well-being for so many people.”

The Newport International Polo Series formed a partnership with local shipping provider, Post All, to pack and ship the materials.  Overwhelmed by requests, domestic airlines turned down shipping to Jamaica.  To ensure delivery of the aid to Jamaicans, the Polo Series turned to the Jamaican Consulate of Boston who organized to receive donations and deliver them to the most effected areas of Jamaica.

The Jamaican Consulate of Boston has organized the "Jamaica Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund 2004" for monetary contributions and a drop-off site for donations of canned or dried food, clothing and emergency supplies.  For more information, call (617)-266-8604, ext. 12.

Post All – a custom packer, freight shipper and authorized agent of UPS and FedEx with locations in Middletown and Newport - donated the handling, packing and transporting of the materials to Boston.