First female captain for UK Polocrosse team

The UK Polocrosse Association (UKPA) World Cup team is to be captained by a female rider for the first time.

Most capped player

Debbie Harris is the most capped player in UKPA history and the only woman to have competed in all three previous Polocrosse World Cups.

The 33-year-old is one of four women on the eight-strong team heading out to South Africa for the 2015 World Cup in July. She is joined by 2011 team mate Charlotte Pykett, Kerry Bean – who hasn’t played on the UK team since 2002 – and Rachel Duhig (nee Gayler).

Rachel played for the USA in last World Cup but is now married to British player Danny Duhig, who is also on the team.

Coach

Other male players are former captain Jason Webb who joins the team once again as coach and player, and World Cup first-timers Joel Sics and Max Pedley. Aged just 16, Max is the youngest rider to play on the UK open team.

The reserves are Annemieke Mitchell, Emily Gilfillan, Alex Richardson, Will Halcrow and Matt Smith.

Mix of experience

“We have an exciting mix of experience and youth who can’t wait to get out and make their mark on the tournament,” said Jason Webb. “Obviously the pool of horses we are allocated will have an effect, but I have every confidence in the team’s horsemanship and riding abilities to form great partnerships with themin a short space of time.”

Each team in the competition draws a pool of horses at random and has five days to work with them, for one hour a day, before their opening match.

You can follow the team on their Facebook page.