Atlanta Regional Polo Center Supports Local Wounded Warriors
3rd annual event features competitive matches with proceeds donated to soldiers from the Army’s
Ft. Benning Warrior Transition Battalion
Atlanta Regional Polo Center is showing its appreciation for the military at its signature season opening event, the Atlanta Charity Cup benefiting wounded warriors from the Army’s Ft. Benning Warrior Transition Battalion. The US Polo Association (USPA) officially-sanctioned Regional Polo Center is rallying the community together for four days of captivating polo, June 7-10 at Atlanta Regional Polo Center in Atlanta, Ga. Four teams with top talent will compete during the 4 goal tournament, taking place Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons, to play in the championship match on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. Sponsors such as Heineken, SmartWater and Oakley have signed on to get involved and show their support for the charitable cause along with Atlanta Regional Polo Center’s official 2012 season sponsor Nalley Automotive.
The $20 per carload fee for those attending the tournament will be donated to wounded, ill, and injured soldiers from the Ft. Benning Warrior Transition Battalion. The group is part of the Warrior Transition Command (WTC), which serves as the lead proponent for the Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP). WTC supports Warrior Transition Units at major military treatment facilities around the world. WTC’s mission is to develop, coordinate, and integrate the WCTP for wounded, ill, and injured soldiers, veterans, and their families or caregivers to promote success in the force or civilian life.
“The Atlanta Charity Cup began as a way for the Atlanta polo community to find the charities they are passionate about and to use polo as a way to provide this financial support,” stated Joseph Meyer, founder and organizer of the Atlanta Charity Cup. “We’re really excited about hosting the wounded soldiers from the Ft. Benning Warrior Transition Battalion. These men and women, along with their families, have made a great sacrifice for us all and it’s enjoyable to use the game of polo as a way to give back to them.”
Atlanta Regional Polo Center is one of four Regional Polo Centers (RPCs) in the nation accredited by the USPA, polo’s national governing body. The center is committed to the advancement of polo with quality training through clinics, events and organized play. The USPA established the RPC program as a network of the most prominent polo centers around the country that train polo players, umpires, managers and others. They also support nearby clubs and provide resources in an effort to enhance USPA membership.
“We are honored to host the Atlanta Charity Cup and gather our community to give back to those soldiers and their families who have sacrificed so much while also introducing the public to the sport of polo,” said Jolie Liston, Atlanta Regional Polo Center owner and head instructor.
Preserving the distinct connection between polo and the military, the USPA Military Polo Committee, established in fall 2011, is dedicated to creating opportunities through events like the Atlanta Charity Cup which support and perpetuate the tie between the armed forces and the polo community. In addition to promoting events that support the military community, the Committee continually works to develop partnerships to increase military participation in polo.
To receive additional information on polo, or to get in on the action and schedule a lesson, just fill out the online form at http://www.playpoloinatl.com/ and an Atlanta Regional Polo Center representative will contact you. For more information on the Warrior Transition Command, visit http://www.wtc.army.mil/.