Polo

Background

This page explains the work permit criteria for the polo 2008 season. These criteria were agreed following consultation with Hurlington Polo Association (HPA), polo club representatives and the British Association of Professional Polo Players. This criteria sheet is supplementary guidance to the published employer guidance notes and both sets of guidance should be referred to when making an application.

Length of season

English Polo is played all year round with two distinct seasons: Outdoor (summer) and Arena (winter).

Outdoor polo is played during the summer months, April - September, and has a membership of some 58 clubs.

Arena polo takes place from the end of October - March. Around 24 clubs currently take part although membership is growing rapidly and several private arenas have been built.

Employers

In order to apply for a work permit, in addition to the evidence outlined in the published employer guidance notes, to establish themselves the employer must also be a member of, or endorsed by, Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA).

Criteria for polo players

Work permits will only be issued for polo players competing at level 2-goal handicap or higher. Employers should contact HPA for confirmation of the player's handicap, in advance of submitting an application. On receipt of the initial application, caseworkers should contact HPA, to ensure they are prepared to give registration.

In order to play polo in the United Kingdom all players need to be members of HPA and have an official HPA handicap. HPA membership cannot be attained outside of the United Kingdom so overseas players must contact HPA with details of their overseas handicap, which will be assessed by HPA on arrival in the United Kingdom.

Criteria for polo grooms

Polo grooms feed, muck out, and 'tack up'. They check horses for signs of injury or weakness, school and practice with horses and liaise with vets when necessary. Overseas grooms will usually travel with a particular player and set of horses. The groom will therefore have knowledge of the particular horses. A polo groom can tend for a maximum of eight horses.

Polo grooms usually have a handicap of less than +2 but there is no requirement by the UK Border Agency for them to have a HPA handicap. Some polo grooms may be required to play in low level tournaments e.g. domestic club polo, non-official tournaments, as part of their usual duties as a groom, providing that they do this for their employer as part of their job, or for no payment. Playing polo must not be the major part of a groom's duties.

Evidence required for all polo groom applications

Employers should provide references from previous employers to establish a groom's previous experience. It is only necessary to establish a groom once.

Posts must be advertised in an appropriate media that provides the best way of reaching suitably qualified resident workers, normally the Horse and Hound, allowing four weeks from the date the advertisement appears to receive applications. The advertisement should have been placed within the six months before the application for a work permit.

An original example of any advertising of the post should be provided with the application.

Criteria for polo trainers and managers

Polo trainers and managers organise the activities of particular teams.

A trainer may have responsibility for running a training yard and schooling the horses. They may also play polo as part of their duties. Their level of participation should be noted in their contracts. Managers manage the polo team, entering tournaments and organising schedules.

Employers should provide references from previous employers to establish a trainer or manager's previous experience. It is only necessary to establish a trainer or manager once.

Posts must be advertised in an appropriate media that provides the best way of reaching suitably qualified resident workers, normally the Horse and Hound, allowing four weeks from the date the advertisement appears to receive applications. The advertisement should have been placed within the six months before the application for a work permit.

An original example of any advertising of the post should be provided with the application.

Length of issue

Players

Players are usually required for a season at a time (outdoor, arena or both). However permits will be issued for the length of the player's contract. The player's salary should be paid throughout the length of the contract.

Grooms

Grooms are usually required for a season at a time (outdoor, arena or both)). However permits will be issued for the length of the groom's contract or a maximum period of two years, whichever is the shorter. The polo groom must continue to be paid throughout the duration of this period. If the application is for a longer period than two years the UK Border Agency will consult with HPA as part of the consideration.

Trainers and managers

Trainers and managers are usually required for a season at a time (outdoor, arena or both). However permits will be issued for the length of the trainer or manager's contract or for a maximum period of two years whichever is the shorter. If the application is for a longer period than two years the UK Border Agency will consult with HPA as part of the consideration.

Salary

Players, grooms, trainers and managers

The salary is usually agreed as part of the contract between the individual player, groom, trainer or manager and employer. This and the other conditions of employment should be at least equal to those normally given to a 'resident worker' for this work. Where the salary quoted appears to be lower than expected we will seek information and advice from the sports' governing bodies and players, grooms, trainers or managers representatives.

Additional information for players

The minimum salary for players is dependent on their handicap. Players are often paid per game. For example, a 5-goal player could be paid £500 per game. Players are usually provided with accommodation and other benefits during the season.

Extension applications

The player, groom, trainer or manager must continue to meet the criteria for initial applications. PAYE certificates must be produced to show the worker has continued to be paid for the duration of the contract and as stated in the initial application. Increases in the NMW must be incorporated where applicable.

In order to qualify for an extension, polo players must also provide evidence of current HPA membership and handicap.

Further information

This criteria should be used in conjunction with the Sports and Entertainments guidance for employers when making a work permit application.

The general criteria for work permit applications under the Sports and Entertainment criteria are available in the booklet 'Applying for a Sports and Entertainment Work Permit - Guidance for Employers'. This guidance can be downloaded from the right side of this page or are available in paper form from the distribution centre on 0117 344 1471 between 0900 and 1700 Monday to Friday.

For more information please contact us at:

UK Border Agency
Sports and Entertainments Team
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA

Phone: 0114 207 5910
Fax: 0114 207 5875
Email: ents.workpermits@ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

A person who is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or is legally settled in the United Kingdom with permission to work here. In some cases, an employer who wishes to employ a person who is not a permanent resident must show that no resident worker could be found to take the job.