The RNPA fields two teams. For principal fixtures the Royal Navy team is drawn from the senior squad. The other team is known as the Royal Navy Blue Jackets and consists of new and developing players.
The RNBJ squad is designed to provide maximum playing opportunity for those players who are yet to reach first team standard, whilst ensuring they progress in their polo abilities by playing against other teams several times a month during the season.
The UK Armed Forces Polo Association selects players from the Royal Navy, British Army, and RAF Polo Associations for matches against international teams hosted across the world.
Playing Opportunities
Sailors from 815 Naval Air Squadron give polo a try as part of a team building day
Our Aim
Our aim is to actively provide opportunities for any member of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Naval Reserve to take up polo and play competitively at all levels. Most of our players, who come from across all ranks, begin their polo career with the RNPA, having ridden little or not at all before trying their hand at polo.
"In one year alone we welcomed 18 new players, including 4 sailors, 1 Royal Marine, 3 Reservists, 3 University cadets and 3 officer cadets"
We welcome established polo players, beginners and those who just want to give polo a try as something different.
Polo taster sessions have proven particularly popular with officers, sailors and marines looking for a unique team building activity and support from in-service funds, including the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, help keep costs low.
The RNPA works closely with unit and establishment physical training instructors and sports representatives to organise anything from a 2 hour taster session to a 3 day long novice course. Courses are run by the excellent coaching team at Tedworth Park Polo Club in Hampshire which includes accommodation options and a great social atmosphere. We will do anything we can to help get you onto a horse and hitting a ball, so get in touch via our Contact page.
Trying Polo
So, if you're serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the Reserves (including the University Royal Naval Unit) then we can get you on a horse and learning polo.
Whether you want to learn from scratch, get back into it after a few years away or you just want to try a taster session then please get in touch via our Contact page and we'll do the rest. No previous experience or equipment is needed- just a willingness to give it a go!
His Majesty The King played Naval polo for many years, captaining the team to numerous victories including in the annual Rundle Cup. The RNPA remains incredibly proud of His Majesty's support.
Our President
Admiral Sir Keith Blount KCB OBE is NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. He took over as RNPA President in 2023 upon the retirement of his predecessor in the role, Admiral Sir Tim Fraser KCB ADC - former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Admiral Blount is the UK's most senior military officer serving in NATO.
History of the Royal Navy Polo Association
The Royal Navy’s connection with polo has been long and distinguished. Polo was played by naval teams in a number of foreign stations as early as the 1860s and in 1874 the staff of Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Fleet helped to start the Malta Polo Club.
The Royal Navy Polo Association (RNPA) was founded in 1929 by Admiral Lord Keyes and continues to this day alongside the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Equestrian Association. When the Royal Navy withdrew from Malta in 1962, the RNPA and its ponies returned to the UK to Taunton Vale Polo Club in Somerset. With the subsequent establishment of a base for Combined Services Polo at Tidworth In 1994, the RNPA moved to its current home at Tedworth Park Polo Club, where it maintains a string of ponies for members’ use.
The purpose of the RNPA is to:
1. Maintain the game of polo within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines by encouraging new players into the sport.