Cycle polo: Difference between revisions

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Most commonly referred to as "Bike Polo", the game is similar to traditional Polo, except that bicycles are used instead of horses. The sport originated in Ireland and was formally invented by Richard J. Mecredy in 1891. The game has seen a sharp spike in interest as of 2007 and new teams are sprouting up across the world. Bike polo can now be accounted for in the USA, France, India, Ireland, Germany, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Hungary, Australia, Sweden, England, Italy, and Canada.

The game

Traditional bicycle polo is played in a rectangular grass field, 150 meters by 100 meters officially, unofficially whatever field is big enough. Moreover, official dimensions can vary between 120 and 150 meters in length on 80 to 100 meters in width. The French rules however allow for smaller grounds usually 100 by 80 meters. The ball used is of circumference 12-15 inches and the mallet is of length 1 meter.

There are 6 members (7 in France) in a team of which 4 (5 in France) are on field at a time. The other two are used as substitutes. International matches are played for a duration of 30 minutes divided into periods of 7.5 minutes each called as a chukkar. Extra time can be used to determine the winner in case the scores are tied at normal time. The goal posts are usually widened for extra time.

If a deliberate foul is committed at the vicinity of the goal, the team that is fouled is automatically given a goal. There are no penalty strokes. Less severe fouls are awarded 15 metre and 25 metre free hits. In the event of deliberate fouls or dangerous fouls, the umpire can issue the Yellow card (warning) and in case of repeated or severe fouls the Red card (ejection). The ejected player can be replaced by a substitute after the end of the current chukkar if the umpire allows it.

History

The game was invented by an Irishman, Richard J. Mecredy in 1891. That same year the first cycle polo match was played between The Scalp and the Ohne Hast C.C.. Towards the end of the 19th century the game reached Great Britain, USA and France. The first international match was played between Ireland and England in 1901. Cycle polo was an demonstration event in the 1908 London Olympics with Ireland winning the gold beating Germany.^{[citation needed]}

The sport reached its peak of popularity in Great Britain during the 1930s with the introduction of the regional leagues. Cycle polo also flourished in France during this period with the establishment of the French league. Internationals between France and Great Britain were held regularly. However the second world war marked the beginning of the demise of cycle polo in Britain. The sport managed to hang on in France though, with league championships held regularly till today.

The 1980s saw the rise of two new powers in cycle polo, India and USA. The Cycle Polo Association of India was officially created in 1966 and the Bicycle Polo Association of America was created in 1994. International cycle polo matches staged a comeback in the 90s with the first world championship organized in 1996 in USA. Teams from India, USA and Canada participated with India winning the title. The next championship was held in 1999 in Vancouver, Canada which was also won by India. From then on, the championship became a regular event held every year.

The 2004 championship was won by the USA, with teams from India, Canada, France and Pakistan participating.

Today there is organized cycle polo being played in Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland and USA.

Cycle polo was officially recognized by the International Cycling Union in 2001.

In recent years, an alternate form of the game known as "Hardcourt Bike Polo" or "Urban Bike Polo" has grown in popularity. In this less formal variation, teams comprised of three to five players compete on tennis courts, street hockey rinks, or whatever other surfaces are available. The rules (which vary by city) are also adapted to reflect the urban environments.

The rules of cycle polo have been adapted in the new sport of Segway polo.

International Bicycle Polo Championships

1996 (Richland, USA) Won by India
1999 (Vancouver, Canada) Won by India
2000 (Delhi, India) Won by India
2001 (London, England, United Kingdom) Won by India
2002 (Les Lilas, France) Won by Canada
2003 (Vero Beach, USA) Won by Canada
2004 (Vancouver, Canada) Won by USA

External links

Hardcourt bike polo

History links

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 == The game ==
+Traditional bicycle polo is played in a rectangular grass field, 150 meters by 100 meters officially, unofficially whatever field is big enough. Moreover, official dimensions can vary between 120 and 150 meters in length on 80 to 100 meters in width. The French rules however allow for smaller grounds usually 100 by 80 meters. The ball used is of circumference 12-15 inches and the mallet is of length 1 meter.
-As of 2008, there are two dominant forms of the game: [[Hardcourt bike polo]], played on asphalt or concrete, and grass polo.
-Field polo, the older form of the sport, is played in a rectangular grass field, 150 meters by 100 meters officially, unofficially whatever field is big enough. Moreover, official dimensions can vary between 120 and 150 meters in length on 80 to 100 meters in width. The French rules however allow for smaller grounds usually 100 by 80 meters. The ball used is of circumference 12-15 inches and the mallet is of length 1 meter.
 There are 6 members (7 in France) in a team of which 4 (5 in France) are on field at a time. The other two are used as substitutes. International matches are played for a duration of 30 minutes divided into periods of 7.5 minutes each called as a ''chukkar''. Extra time can be used to determine the winner in case the scores are tied at normal time. The goal posts are usually
@@ Line 25: / Line 23: @@
 Today there is organized cycle polo being played in Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland and USA.
-Cycle polo was officially recognized by the [[International Cycling Union]] in 2001. Starting in 2000, a variation of cycle polo known as [[Hardcourt Bike Polo]] is getting considerable media attention in the USA and Canada. This game is less formal and has rules adapted to accommodate urban environments.
+Cycle polo was officially recognized by the [[International Cycling Union]] in 2001.
+In recent years, an alternate form of the game known as "[[Hardcourt Bike Polo]]" or "Urban Bike Polo" has grown in popularity.  In this less formal variation, teams comprised of three to five players compete on tennis courts, street hockey rinks, or whatever other surfaces are available.  The rules (which vary by city) are also adapted to reflect the urban environments.
 The rules of cycle polo have been adapted in the new sport of [[Segway polo]].