Karen Kranenburg (second left), tournament co-ordinator, makes a point during yesteday's launch of the Virgin Atlantic 25th anniversary polo tournament between Jamaica and Australia, which begins tomorrow. Looking on are Dennis Lalor (left), president of the Jamaica Polo Association and Australian players Dick Doolin (second right) and Ric McCarthy. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

International polo returns to the island with a visiting Australian team down to engage Jamaica in the Virgin Atlantic 25th anniversary tournament, beginning tomorrow at Chukka Blue, Sandy Bay in Hanover, starting at 4 p.m.

Details were announced at a press conference yesterday morning at the Spanish Court Hotel, New Kingston.

The Australians are scheduled to meet the St Ann Polo Club team at Drax Hall in the second match (four chukkas) on Thursday, April 30, starting at 4 p.m., ahead of the final match (five chukkas) against a formidable Kingston Polo Club team on Sunday, May 3, at Caymanas Estates, starting at noon.

For tomorrow's match (14 goals), the Chukka Blue team will comprise John G. Byles, Andy Vernon, Kurt Chin and Shane Chin.

Exciting final match

The polo fraternity is looking forward to the final match (14 goals) between the Australian team comprising Richard Rawlings (captain), Matthew Oleiry and Dick Doolin, all four-goal players, and Rick McCarthy, two goals.

The Kingston Polo Club team is Mark Wates (captain), his brother Ricky, Paul Lalor and Member of Parliament James Robertson.

In the second match at Drax Hall (10 goals), the Australians will utilise the services of rookie player Hugh Evans, the man responsible for organising the tournament from his base in Melbourne, Australia, through his social website Polocontacts.com, which is used by over 3,000 players around the world.

In addition to main sponsor Virgin Atlantic, the tournament has brought together a number of associate sponsors such as the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandals, Spanish Court Hotel, Wisynco, Appleton Estates, Caribbean Producers, Coca Cola, Grey Goose, Tropical Tours and Haagen Dazs.

Among those speaking at the press conference were Dennis Lalor, president of the Jamaica Polo Association and the Kingston Polo Club; Karen Kranenburg, organiser and editor of the Polo & More magazines, along with the Australian players and representatives of the sponsors, Naomi Garrick, corporate communications manager of Spanish Court Hotel and Safi James, marketing manager of Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited.

"It is incredible how many doors polo opens ... . Polo is the passport to the world," said Lalor, who went on to thank the sponsors for their wholehearted support.