On behalf of Sunny Hale, Chairwoman: USPA Women’s Polo Committee, 

The USPA is on the move and taking steps forward to listen to the voice of its members in regards to growing the sport. In the area of women’s polo today, women represent one of the largest growing sectors in the sport and it seems to be a trend worldwide. As a direct result, two foreign countries, Argentina and France, have now adopted an additional Ladies Handicap system to highlight and promote their women’s polo growth and players. This new initiative raises the question for the USPA – is it time to recognize the largest growing sector in the sport with an Official Women’s Handicap to be used for all USPA Sanctioned woman’s polo tournaments?
According to USPA membership statistics as of December 31, 2011, there were a total of 1766 female members and of those members, only 4 women are currently rated 2 goals or higher.  An Official USPA Women’s Handicap would give those members the opportunity to be rated 0-10 goals among their female peers in sanctioned women’s tournaments and bring the United States up to speed in International women’s polo recognition and competition.

What would it accomplish? 
Implementation of a USPA Women’s Handicap would give recognition worldwide for the dominance and strength that currently exists in its American female players and the growth in popularity that women’s polo is experiencing in recent years. For example, after a 20 year hiatus, 2011 saw the return of the US Women’s Open which was played at the Houston Polo Club in Texas. The tournament was an amazing and outstanding example of the quality polo that is being played around the country at these American women’s tournaments. Country to country competitions are now emerging for womens’ polo with great enthusiasm. For example, April 2012, the United States played against Argentina with the final match being played on the historic Palermo, Field One. The match pitted Empire Polo Club (USA) vs San Jorge Polo Club (Argentina) and USA was victorious 11-7. The match was played on the Argentine Ladies handicap system at the 18-22 goal level ,with the full support of the Argentine Polo Association. A driving force in bringing attention and recognition to women’s polo and the promotion of more sanctioned top level events has been the WCT and its unique format to promote female players and top level sanctioned women’s polo. Plans are underway to set up similar matches here in the United States, again in Argentina, Mexico, Chile and France in the near future and this new USPA Women’s Handicap would truly provide these American players the opportunity to be properly rated against the rest of the world in those competitions.

What would the Handicap system look like?
Example System: Official Women’s Handicaps would range from 0-10 goals
Current Handicap    Women’s Handicap

How would it work?
This new Women’s Handicap would be used in all USPA women’s tournaments (sanctioned, circuit, national etc), similar to how the Arena handicap is applied. This new handicap would be “in addition” to your regular handicap, similar to Arena Handicap usage,and does not apply in coed USPA tournaments, the standard handicap would remain in use for those tournaments.
For USPA female members with an existing Handicap: Upon renewing your USPA membership, you would be assessed a Women’s Handicap in addition to your regular one based on the above handicap translation chart.
For new players joining the USPA for the Women’s Handicap, in the first year you would apply same as now, once you have a recommended regular handicap the translation chart would be calculated to provide your additional Women’s Handicap.