Seattle, September 9th-11th 2011
In 2003, the world came to Seattle for the Cycle Messenger World Championships. In addition to the normal messenger competitions was a hastily organized hardcourt bike polo tournament. It was a revival of a century old sport, replacing grassy fields and soft landings with concrete and bone jarring impacts. Several bike messengers struggled to play the game on their work bikes with mallets made of bamboo on the rooftop of an adult video store. No one could have predicted that this meager event would be the beginning of an obsession that would spread worldwide in the following years.
Since then, hardcourt bike polo has grown exponentially. The number of tournaments per year quickly increased from one in 2003, to twelve in North America in 2007, and exploded to ninety tournaments world-wide in 2010. Many of the people who saw polo for the first time in Cascadia brought the game back to their home cities to start bike polo clubs of their own. During the weekend of September 9th – 11th, 2011, some of those people along with a newer generation of polo players will descend upon Seattle for the 3rd World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships.
The return of the worlds tournament to Seattle promises more than could be delivered in 2003. International governing bodies have formed to develop rules and regulations regarding play and referees will be present to enforce those rules. Several courts will be designed and built according to regulated specifications. In order to compete, teams from around the world will need to have qualified at National Championships in North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, among other regions.
In short, it’s real now. There are prizes and bragging rights to be won, titles to defend, and major sponsors, including Brooks England, providing support for the 2011 World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships. Seattle Bike Polo Club is eager to showcase Seattle not only as the beautiful place that it is, but as one of the premier places to play bike polo in the world.
_________________________________________________________________________
IN BOCCA AL LUPO AI TIGERS,
UNICA FORMAZIONE ITALIANA IN CAMPO A SEATTLE.
_________________________________________________________________________
Bergamo Bike Polo 