A rather unusual sport...

As a sports reporter I have gotten used to going along to various football and rugby matches however this week I decided it was time for a change. As the only female reporter I wanted to branch out and do something a little bit different.

After finding out from a fellow sports reporter that Winchester had a polo team i decided that this would be a perfect replacement for this weeks bulletin. 

Polo is often overlooked, classed as "the sport of Kings" many find it a rather pretentious affair. I wanted to delve deeper behind the extravagant front and learn the real truth behind the sport. 

I spoke to Rania Kamal, captain of the polo team and overal organiser of the sport. She was incredibly helpful, providing me with a first hand experience of polo and exclusive inside info into what happens behind the stable doors. 

Rania and novice player Emily Rees explained to me that polo is an equestrian based sport with four players on each team. The match normally lasts for two hours and is divided into six time periods known as chukkas. The match begins with a throw in of the ball at the beginning of each chukka whilst penalty shots are given depending on the severity of the foul. 

Whilst learning the basic rules of the match, it was encouraging to see the enthusiasm, enjoyment and skill that went into the sport whilst the team practised. I found it incredibly admirable how the team managed to control their horses whilst playing an intense game, chasing a small white ball and holding heavy mallets. Multi-tasking at its finest. 

I soon found out how hard polo actually is, deciding to grab life by the reigns and have a go myself. Getting on the horse was my first challenge, however he was the laziest horse out of the bunch making it a bit easier for me to struggle up however the next challenge soon arose as actually controlling the horse whilst trying to hit a polo ball proved difficult. I thoroughly enjoyed my first attempt at polo but despite my best efforts i doubt i will be recruited to join the team. 

It was important to promote the sport as not many people know that Winchester even have a polo team let alone that they are joining the league which enables them to play against other polo playing universities. It is a great achievement for Winchester to qualify for the league which will hopefully encourage more people to appreciate this fantastic sport.