Canoe Polo, known simply as "polo" by its participants, combines paddling and ball handling skills with an exciting contact team game, where the tactics and positional
play are as important as the speed and fitness of the individual athletes.
Two teams each with five players on the pitch at any one time (and up to three substitutes) compete to score goals in their opponent's net which is suspended 2 metres above the water. The ball can be thrown by hand, or flicked with the paddle. Pitches can be set up in swimming pools or any stretch of flat water.
The game requires excellent teamwork and promotes both general canoeing skills as well as a range of other techniques unique to the sport. Boats are specifically designed for Polo and are short (3m) which gives them fantastic manoeuvrability. Paddles are very light weight and designed with both pulling power and ball control in mind. Body protection, helmets and faceguards are all compulsory.
Within the UK there is a National League structure, with categories for Open, Women's and Youth competitions, with many regional events held throughout the year. During the summer months a number of canoe clubs host very large outdoor tournaments which attract teams from all over the country and some international teams, and many British clubs compete at similar tournaments around Europe and sometimes the rest of the world.
Morpeth Canoe Polo are very successful in the sport of Canoe Polo, being winners of the National Championships Open Division II in 2009 and North East Region Open League Winners 2009 and 2010, runners up in 2011.
Our Youth Teams are extremely successful coming 4th in their first ever National Competition, the National Championships in 2010, following this up with clear 1st and 2nd places in the Northern England Youth Leagues 2011. Several of our Youth players have also progressed into the Open Team and one member was selected for the Great Britain U21 Mens A Team.
In 2009 we hosted our first Summer tournament on the river at Morpeth, next to Carlisle Park, and this is to repeated in early August 2011 with a regionally based and youth focused competition, open to all.
Within our club we have a wealth of experience including a member of the European Championship winning Great Britain Ladies Team of 2001, representatives of English Universities, players at National and International levels and International Refereeing Status including the current the Northern Region Referee lead. Our team also organise all regional Polo training over the Winter and includes the Northern Region Canoe Polo Representative.
We very much look to cater for complete beginners to the Sport through to internationally recognised athletes. We have current players from the age of 9 through to x (well, not going to divulge too much!).
All we ask is that you have a basic idea and competence of canoeing and a love of action. If so, we would love to welcome you into our growing and friendly club.
