HISTORY OF POLOCROSSE
The little-known sport of polocrosse began in Britain in 1932,
although it was not played to the same high standards it is today.
The
National School of Equitation in London first played polocrosse but in very
basic form with no rules, and it existed solely to help young riders control
their horses better. Sticks, balls and a rulebook were later developed but
World War Two put and end to early polocrosse in this country.
However, in 1938 an Australian couple came to England and took sticks, balls and rulebooks back to Australia with the idea of introducing it to their country. After revising the rules with an experienced horseman and polo player, they had developed the game further for people of any age.
An
outdoor pitch was designed, as the game had originally been played indoors,
measuring 160 yards by 60 yards and was split into three areas – 30 yards
long goal-scoring areas at each end and a centre area of 100 yards in length.
The goal posts were eight feet apart with an 11-yard semi-circle in front
of each goal, which a player must be outside to score a goal.
These basic rules have stayed the same throughout the world with only slight alterations to make the sport safer and more enjoyable, and how we have come to know it today.
