SA hosts Polocrosse World Cup

THE Protea Polocrosse team, currently ranked number one in the world and reigning world champions, will compete against seven international teams in a bid to defend their world title at the Polocrosse World Cup 2015.

The event will be hosted at the Durban Shongweni Club in Kwazulu-Natal until 13 July.

The semi-finals and finals will take place over two weekends, 3 and 5 July and 10 and 12 July, and the tournament sees South Africa’s top horsemen and horsewomen battling it out with their USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Zambia and Zimbabwe counterparts.

André Truter, the president of PASA (the Polocrosse Association of South Africa) said: “PASA is thrilled to be hosting the Polocrosse World Cup. The world's top eight ranked Polocrosse teams will converge on the Durban Shongweni Club over June and July. We are expecting over 600 international visitors with 10 000 spectators to support the World Cup action over the six key tournament days. With four games played daily and a host of exciting activities on offer, the Polocrosse World Cup promises unparalleled sporting action as well as an enjoyable outing for the whole family.”

Polocrosse, a mixture of polo and lacrosse, is played on horseback, with each team consisting of eight players – four men and four women. The prestigious World Cup event is expected to boost tourism in the area by attracting thousands of visitors and will prove to be a thrilling tournament of athleticism (both jockey and steed) and horsemanship.

The eight international teams are split into two pools, based on current world rankings, thereafter the top two teams from each group will compete in the semi-finals. The finals are guaranteed to be a nail-biting affair, a display of world-class Polocrosse as well as sportsmanship between the two remaining sides.

In the 2011 Polocrosse World Cup, South Africa defeated Zimbabwe in England for the title. With several games a day, the South African team will aim to repeat history and continue as reigning world champions.

The South African Polocrosse community, honoured to host this sensational event, are providing 130 A-grade horses for its fellow competitors. Each pool within the event will have an assigned horse supervisor that will make sure these horses are treated fairly and looked after throughout the tournament.

The atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric; the stage has been set for a festive and riveting Polocrosse World Cup for both spectators and riders alike.Visit www.polocrosse.co.za for VIP tickets, general admission tickets can be purchased on the day at a cost of R20 per person, entrance for children under the age of 12 is free.

For more information and to follow the event, visit the official Facebook page – Polocrosse World Cup South Africa and the Twitter page – @PolocrosseSA, the official event hashtag is #PolocrosseWorldCup2015.