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Trophy Information

Charles Cup

The Charles Cup is Western Australia’s premier polo cup and is actually the third cup donated by Joseph Charles esq.

Joseph Charles presented the first cup many years prior with the proviso that should the cup be won for three years in succession by the same team then that team would win the cup outright.

On two occasions this phenomenon was achieved and both times it was by the then famous Broomehill Polo Club. On the second occasion the team was captained for the three years by the late Edgar Richardson.

It was only after these events that Joseph Charles who was not only an extremely staunch supporter of polo in WA but also president of the West Australian Polo Association, presented the third Charles Cup in 1929.

The cup was presented as a perpetual cup to be played for in Western Australia and stipulated to be played from scratch, (no handicap advantage) over six periods of eight minutes play. It was also stated that there were to be three minute intervals and a ten minute break after the third period at half time. (These periods are of course “Chukkas”).

Interestingly, the hand beaten figure on this Sterling silver masterpiece is from an actual match photograph taken from a contest between teams from Broomehill and Mingenew.

Playing for Broomehill
1. Bob Louden
2. Ivor Roberts
3. Edgar Richardson (captain)
4. Bernard House

Playing for Mingenew
1. Reg Percy
2. Charlie Readhead
3. Col. Irwin Burges
4. Harold Readhead

It is worthy of note that the majority of the players mentioned were ex members of the celebrated 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment.

Information provided by Leonard Hamersley

Gooch Cup

The Gooch Cup which is the most prestigious handicap cup in Western Australia was donated to the Western Australian Polo Association in 1926 by the late Gordon G Gooch Esq. of Wandagee Station, which is situated in the West Gascoyne.

Gordon Gooch was a loyal and highly respected supporter of polo and President of the Western Australian Polo Association for a number of years. In latter years he resided in Perth and was a very familiar figure at polo fixtures.

The cup is an extremely elegant example of hand beaten Sterling Silver and to most polo players still remains one of the most difficult to win. This fact is shown with the result as seen in the inaugural final played at Hurlingham Polo Grounds, South Perth on 12th April 1926.

This was played by Broomehill and Mingenew with Mingenew defeating the almost invincible Broomehill 9 to 7.

MINGENEW
1. Reg Percy
2. Charlie Readhead
3. Col. Irwin Burges
4. Harold Readhead

BROOMEHILL
1. Ivor Roberts
2. Bob Louden
3. Edgar Richardson
4. Bernard House

Broomehill had defeated Mingenew in the early rounds of the Charles Cup and had gone on to win the final from Moonyoonooka 14 to 1 on 11th April.

The Gooch Cup has always been complemented with the Burges Cup which is competed for by teams beaten in the first round of the Gooch.

The Gooch has been played for every year up to the present time save for a short break during World War II.

Campbell Cup

February 1967

"Mrs. HM Campbell of 'Balmoral' Serpentine has donated to polo a trophy to be competed for annually and to be won by the most improved player in West Australia, with his team and club spirit to be considered.

The purpose of the trophy is to encourage young or new players in the sport; the award will be made to a player who has shown the greatest improvement in his game during the current or just post season and in general terms is new to polo but who appears keen to continue with the sport and further improve his play.

At the same time he is expected to show a willingness to assist with some of the duties attached to the smooth running of his club.

Judging the award has been vested in the Handicap Committee and it is recommended it be decided at their annual meeting usually held during polo week.

In this the first year of the competition Mrs. Campbell is also offering a free service by her stallion "Pronto Mia" to a mare nominated by the winner.

This perpetual trophy is to be known as the Campbell Memorial Trophy and is given and received in memory of Mr. JM Campbell and his son John R Campbell".