Wed 29th Feb 2012 Important work permit information Only those with a two-goal handicap and above may be granted a work permit as a player FOLLOWING ON FROM the Winter Newsletter sent out by the HPA detailing information regarding work permits and grooms (see below in italics) it should be made known that the HPA will be taking a strict view on players and grooms working without the correct legal requirements. Under immigration rules, sponsors (employers) must obtain an HPA endorsement for each migrant polo player or groom they wish to employ. If no such endorsement has been given, membership of the HPA will not be granted and the player or groom will therefore be unable to play at any affiliated club or in any chukkas or game run by an affiliated club.   Work Permits: The Border Agency has laid down that only a person who holds a handicap of two-goals and above may be granted a work permit as a player. Those below two-goals can only come here in another capacity and, as such, are not allowed to earn money by playing polo. It means that they are only allowed to play in chukkas. It is understood that some employers/sponsors want their grooms to play their horses in matches, either with themselves or in their place if they are unable to play. You are reminded that for 2012 the following regulation, which is included in the Blue Book, will apply: “Anyone must have a registered handicap of at least two- goals to have a work permit as a player. Anyone who is here on a work permit other than as a player may only play at a club where both they and their employer/sponsor are members and they shall not earn money as a player, either for themselves or their employer/sponsor. They must pass the rules test before they can be awarded a handicap which shall not be less than zero-goals and which will be shown on the website with ‘R’ after their name to indicate that they may only play at a club where they and their employer are a member. What polo they are allowed to play in is a matter for the club concerned but they may not play in any High Goal or Victor Ludorum tournaments.” NB. This will mean that anyone who is here on a work permit will have to play off a minimum handicap of zero-goals in 2012 even if they were given a lower handicap at the end of 2011.

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