Bobby's Boost Keeps Blenheim Polo Club on Track

Relocating is never a simple process, particularly when you are a sports club settling into a new venue. The Blenheim Polo Club needed to ensure their new polo field at Clarence, Waipapa Bay, was ready for their upcoming tournaments and came to the Bobby Foundation, as the field needed weed control, fertilising and levelling.

Bobby was pleased to support these works with a grant of $10k.

Club President, Tonya Patchett, told us, “The funding received from the Bobby Foundation was vital to the success of our Corporate Day and following two-day tournament. As one of the smaller polo clubs in the South Island and furthest from the main polo centre of the South Island (Christchurch), we ensure we go to that extra effort to attract the players. This is in the form of an excellent playing field (which we are still working on, as it was the first tournament at our new venue) and hosting a BBQ evening and catering for the travelling players.” 

Going forward, the improved facilities will not only benefit club members but the wider Kaikoura and Marlborough communities, providing a venue for other sporting events. The club can also be used by members of the polo community from across the country as a base when taking part in other events in the South Island.

“The major benefit of the grant was being able to bring a standard of polo to the community of Marlborough, which is important to growing the sport”, said Tonya. “The feedback from the community has been uplifting and positive and we look forward to holding our tournament in the upcoming season.”

The Bobby Foundation is proud to improve the odds for community sports.