Thursday, March 7, 2024

PERTH HARDCOURT BICYCLE POLO INCORPORATED is winding up as an Association on 30 April 2024. Any past members are asked to contact the committee via our Facebook group linked below, with any questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/58412725979/ 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Media Release


Bike Polo Championships
This fast paced adrenaline-charged sport is only for the brave, and attracts unique characters on and off the field. Armed with mallets, six riders sprint around a basketball court chasing a hard plastic ball. No foot-downs are allowed, contact is mallet-on-mallet and bike-on-bike, and the highest scoring team after 10 minutes of play wins.
The event coincides with Bike Week.
Spectators will have the opportunity to view games on both days. The final will be held late in the afternoon on the Sunday, and always proves to be very exciting.

Nicholas Deeks
Secretary
Perth Hardcourt Bicycle Polo Incorporated

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Australasian Hardcourt Championships 2012

WELCOME TO PERTH POLO PLAYERS!!

“While Perth used to be characterised as rather dull, a resources boom has seen Perth blossom like WA’s wildflowers in spring. Today it’s a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city with myriad bars, restaurants and cultural activities all vying for attention. But the best bit is that when you want to chill out, Perth’s pristine parkland and beaches allow the population to spread out and enjoy what’s on offer. After all, we are talking about a city that has its own dedicated dog beach…”

Its own dog beach you say! Well that is amazing, thanks Lonely Planet’s Guide to Perth. Other than these fantastic things, Perth has something better and significantly more exciting to offer in 2012, the Australasian Bike Polo Championships. So for all those making the trek west in search of glory and wenches take a gander at what Perth has to offer.

Things To Do:
NOTHING................................except the following

Sleep, drink, polo,drink,polo,eat,polo,drink,drink,sleep repeat x2

Eats & Drinks
If none of the following suggestions take your fancy, the CBD has numerous places and simply by riding down the main drag of St George Terrace or through the Murray and Hay Street malls there are many places to eat and drink.

Lunch
Whilst at the courts there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat in within a 5 minute ride away. However bear in mind that many of these places are fast food such as McDonalds and KFC, however, just down Albany highway in Victoria Park there are plenty of lunch bars and places to get food. See the inset map for local food locations.
Don’t forget the sausage sizzle on Sunday 25th. No need to go scavenging for some food! Nothing better than a sausage in a bun...

Dinner and Beers
The Flying Scotsman, 639 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley
Good cheap food and beer. Every Sunday night is $10 pizza and pint night. Located 5 min bike ride from the Perth CBD and only 10-15 min from the courts themselves. A local hangout for the PCP regulars. Not only is this a great pub but on Saturdays at 11pm the lady of the fountain spouts copious amounts of beer from her nipples for all those who pay her a visit.
The Broken Hill, 314 Albany Highway, Victoria Park
One of the best steak sandwiches I’ve ever had however can be a little pricey at $20 for a meal. But overall not too bad. They have a good range of beers at reasonable prices. They have a large garden bar area, perfect for large groups of people.

There are a few local bottle shops a short ride away down the famous solid gold roads of Perth. The BWS located at 241 Canning Highway, Como have a good range, however there is a large Vintage Cellars located at 298 Millpoint Road, so there are multiple options.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options
Unfortunately ever since the mad-carrot disease of 1969 there has been little to no vegetables in the city of Perth and as such Perth is strictly a meat only town. The locals rely on the grass and gum trees of the local parks in order to get their 2 fruit and 5 veg, it is encouraged that visitors to the city also do this should they not feel the need to eat the flesh of another animal.

Sleeps
For accommodation try hitting up any backpackers in the city. There are heaps of youth hostel places in the city and around the CBD that have bike racks or enclosed car parks, so locking up bikes shouldn’t be a problem. A quick google search should help you out there. Prices range from about $30-$45 per night.

There are a few places which rent apartments, firstly there is Drake’s apartments which is virtually next to the courts. This could be a very good option, the prices don’t seem too bad with a 3 bedroom apartment for $210 per night so for ~6 people that’s about $35 a night for the weekend. And with the added bonus of kitchens and private bathrooms etc. Seems ideal for team “bonding”. The website is here, http://www.drakesapartments.com.au/3bed.php. Similarly try the Metro Inn in South Perth which is also insanely close to the courts.

There are also a few places on the way from the airport. One, the Great Eastern Motor Lodge offers interconnecting units or rooms which can fit up to 4/5 people per room from around 210 per room again. This isn’t too far away from the court. Most likely a 20min ride at the very max.

The Courts:
Very easy to locate. Close to the city (1 km across the Causeway). Check out the map by google mapping, McCallum Park, Victoria Park Western Australia 6100. The courts are located just next to the skate park next to canning highway and are impossible to miss.
Very easy to locate. Close to the city (1 km across the Causeway). Check out the map by google mapping, McCallum Park, Victoria Park Western Australia 6100. The courts are located just next to the skate park next to canning highway and are impossible to miss.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

AHBPC11

As you may know, Perth have recently returned from Adelaide after competing in the Australasian National Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships (AHBPC11). It is the third time Perth have represented, and this year we came in record numbers with 12 people attending, represented by 5 teams as follows:

"Godzilla Symphony" - Nick M, Yohei, Nick D (aka God)



"Shit City Bike Polo Club" - Scotty, Mattie and Wall


"Not Prawi Enough" - Tom, Brad, Shane


"Rejected Monkeys" - Kristy, Scott (Melb), Derren


And I was invited to play with an interstate team, Storm Boys - Lewis (Syd), Damon (Melb), Me


Saturday hosted a round robin tournament which would determine the seeding for Sunday's double elimination. Day 1 saw some tough battles, Not Prawi Enough were put into a rough draw and faced some of the best teams in the state, however they never went down without a fight and played out most of their games to the end only losing by one or two goals.


Tom takes a shot

Godzilla Symphony were on the same lines and had some really close games, along with Rejected Monkeys who played out some close games with Kristy pulling out some amazing saves. On the other side of the court were Shit City, who rised to the occasion and managed to come on top of the Perth teams ranking 10th after day one, where we saw Scotty pull of some huge shots, with Wall and Mattie bringing the rukus and holding some good defence. An excellent result after day one.


Rejected Monkeys talking team tactics.

The rankings after day one were as follows:
1 Storm Boys
2 Majestic Pink Shafts
3 Neil La Robolution
4 Thats What She Said
5 Triple Dutch Rudder
6 Jizz Monkey
7 L.S.V
8 Los Polo Hermanos
9 Three Malleteers
10 Shit City
11 Lonely Mallets Club Team
12 Godzilla Symphony
13 Not Prawi Enough
14 Phuq Styx
15 Rejected Monkeys
16 Rising Sun
17 Beer Break
18 Offcuts


Scotty winds up for a big shot.

After a long day of play we hung out for a few beers at the Old Exchange, but by 10pm most of us were too buggered to keep on going and headed back to our hotels to catch up on some sleep. Day 2 was the day that counted, due to the double elimination format, there was always a second chance to come back and it was do or die.

Early on it wasn't looking too good, with most of the Perth teams getting knocked out the 1st bracket early in the day, but we weren't going down without a fight. In a tough game between Godzilla Symphony and Triple Dutch Rudders (ranked 5th) it looked like TDR had the upper hand (no pun intended), but in a moment of magic, Yohei managed to pull 3 goals in quick succession to win the game! A huge upset and a game Yohei will never forget, I overheard Nick D after the game saying "Well, we ain't letting Yohei sit in goals next time!"


Brad threading that needle in a 2v1 clutch situation against TDR.


Yohei killin' it on Day 2, check out those vains!

I didnt get a chance to follow all the games as I had to play with the Storm Boys but word on the court told me that Rejected Monkeys started coming together as a team and in a close zero-zero game against Shit City, the derby came down to a golden goal situation, Rejected Monkeys won and knocked out by their fellow state team. Not Prawi Enough also managed to knock out the 5th ranked Triple Dutch Rudders in an upset game, progressing furthur on in the tournament.

Pulling out win after win, Not Prawi Enough were eventually knocked out in a close game against MPS. One of the phrases commonly heard on that day was "The scoreboard didn't reflect the game", most the games were very close and could have gone either way. At the end of the day, the final rankings were as follows:

1 Storm Boys

2 That’s What She Said

3 L.S.V

4 Neil La Robolution

5 Los Polo Hermanos
6 Majestic Pink Shafts

7 Not Prawi Enough
8 Phuq Styx

9 Rejected Monkeys
10 Three Malleteers
11 Jizz Monkey
12 Godzilla Symphony

13 Shit City Polo Club
14 Lonely Mallets Club Band
15 Triple Dutch Rudder
16 Beer Break

17 Offcuts
18 Rising Sun

A fantastic result from everyone!

It was an absolutely awesome weekend, this year we have 5 new members from Perth represent for the first time, it was amazing to watch everyone play and improve as the tournament progressed. I'm sitting here more than a week after nationals and I've already seen an increase in skill level, but more importantly, I feel as if attending Nationals has brought the local Polo community closer together. Attending Nationals has allowed us to meet so many amazing people from across the country and this has created some strong ties and new friendships. I look forward to meeting and playing with everyone in the near future. A special thanks to Adelaide for hosting this years nationals, it was a truly memorable event.

All pics in this post have been taken by Studio Crossbow, check out his flickr for more photos.




Kristy getting in amongst the action.


Great shot of Nick M


Brad, Nick M, Tom, Scotty spectating on the sidelines.


Action shot of Derren

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Nats announced

7th and 8th of May in the city of churches

Monday, February 28, 2011

tueday Polo now at 7

Due to excessive ECU students parking where they shouldn't a 7pm start should help.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Tuesday Polo

Seems like tuesday polo is now a regular fixture, plenty of people rocking up and with the aid of some awesome lights we can play all night long.. 6pm MLHS carpark.

Just came back from the Sydney Bench Minor sore and bruised, it was a crazy weekend of ups and downs and an important stepping stone to the future of how polo is played and reff'd in Aus. Will explain in furthur detail this tuesday :)

cya on the court.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Friday, January 7, 2011

To Live & Ride In L.A. Perth film premier


Sunday 16.1.11 will be a huge bike day in Perth.

Bike Jam has secured the Perth premier for the the new film from the Trafik crew - To Live & Ride In L.A. The screening starts @ 8pm @ The Bakery, 233 James st Northbridge. Before the screening there is going to be hours of fun. @ this stage Bike Jam is looking at organizing a ride/cruise thru the streets, trick comps and possibly a polo demonstration.

This is a massive coup for the Perth bike community, so come on down and check it out. For those who need more incentive, Its free and there are rad giveaways.

Check out the trailer.

If you don't come to this, you don't deserve to ride a bike in Perth.