OUTSIDE THE BOARDS™ PODCAST
SEASON #2 | EPISODE #7: Oliver "Olly" Hughes
RECORDED: February 1st, 2022
On this Episode of Outside The Boards, after 10 years at the helm, I’m thrilled to welcome Oliver “Olly” Hughes, the Deputy Chief of the Hurlingham Polo Association. The governoring body for the sport of polo in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Way back in the mid 1980s Olly was introduced to polo whilst in the Cotswold Pony Club. Although the opportunities to play were restricted to the few summer weeks of the Pony Club Polo season, Olly was well and truly bitten by the bug.
After the culmination of a successful Pony Club career, and a brief flirtation with higher education, he headed to South America to be immersed in polo. A career in polo developed from there and having achieved a three goal handicap he was lucky enough to work for the likes of Black Bears, Ellerston and Bulldogs Polo Teams and has also managed Ansty, Checkendon and most recently Beaufort Polo Clubs.
Along the way he gained experience of working in the “real” world when he managed health clubs on behalf of two hotel chains. He joined the HPA office in 2012 and lives near Cirencester with his wife and two teenage children.
Olly has done some incredible things for the sport in the UK in the last 10 years, most notably the creation of the Hurlingham Polo Associaiton’s own clothing line. Olly is a great friend and I feel honored to have gotten to know him more on this episode, and excited to watch him and the Hurlingham Polo Association do great things for the sport in the next decade.
WELCOME TO OUTSIDE THE BOARDS™ PODCAST
The OTB™ Podcast was created with the goal of introducing listeners to people, places and stories and provide a unique behind the scenes perspective of the sport of polo that breaks all the common stereotypes. While discussing key issues affecting the sport today and the constructive sharing of ideas, insights, solutions and best case studies for the purpose of advancing polo globally. The Podcast will have honest conversations with polo industry leaders, enthusiasts and awe inspiring people who make this sport great and fun to be around.
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About Lineup Polo
Lineup Polo was built to revolutionize how polo is managed and experienced. With a mission to support the polo community and expand the sport’s reach, the platform digitizes processes and centralizes communication. Lineup Polo is committed to the game's future.
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About Outside The Boards™
Founded after witnessing their first polo match in 2012, Outside The Boards™ seeks to share the sport’s beauty, intensity, and lifestyle while addressing industry fragmentation. Through best practices, insights, trends, and consulting, OTB™ helps stakeholders and brands unlock polo’s marketing potential and navigate the sport with clarity...
