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28 Aug 08Beach Polo Returns to Sandbanks
Sandbanks is set to host the exciting new sport of beach polo for the next five years.
Following the success of this year's inaugural British Beach Polo Championships 
, Borough of Poole has reached an agreement with organisers Sandpolo to stage the annual event on Sandbanks' golden sands until 2013.
Thousands of spectators enjoyed the thrilling action of Europe's first-ever beach polo tournament at Sandbanks in July.
The 2009 championships will once again feature teams of top international polo riders competing over two days of action on July 10 and 11. Next year's event will also host an international beach polo match between teams representing England and the USA.
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Borough of Poole, said: "We are delighted that the organisers Sandpolo want to make this exciting event a more permanent fixture in Poole. This year's event attracted a lot of local interest and promoted Sandbanks and Poole on the national stage. We hope the event goes from strength to strength over the next five years.
Johnny Wheeler, of event organisers Sandpolo, said: "We are extremely excited at the prospect of bringing beach polo back to Poole. With the support of Borough of Poole, this year's championship proved a real success, attracting thousands of spectators, many of whom enjoyed the action for free. Sandbanks' fabulous beach is a great venue and we are very happy to be staging the championships in Poole until 2013.
This year's event raised almost £3,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes - a charity formed to support wounded servicemen and women. The temporary polo arena also hosted a beach football tournament for more than 300 local young people as part of Poole's successful Football FOCUS community project. This event will be staged again in 2009.
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