Polo in Australia has a strong rural and pastoral tradition — the sport is deeply connected to station and farming communities across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Arena polo (played in an enclosed area) has made the sport more accessible to urban players. Polocrosse — a uniquely Australian variation — has a large grassroots following. This guide covers the key funding sources for polo and related horse sports.
Polo and polocrosse funding comes from:
- Polo Australia: National governing body
- Australian Polocrosse Association: National polocrosse body
- Equestrian Australia: Broader horse sport funding
- Gaming trusts: Club equipment and facility grants
- State sport agencies: Some state investment in horse sport
- Rural community trusts: Support for rural community sport
Polo Australia is the national governing body for polo:
- National championship events
- Club affiliation and standards
- International connections (Australia competes internationally in polo)
Contact Polo Australia for access to Sport Australia investment and national programme guidance.
Australian Polocrosse Association (APA) governs polocrosse nationally:
- National polocrosse championships
- State associations and club affiliation
- Junior polocrosse development
Polocrosse is a sport of significant size in rural Australia — with hundreds of clubs across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and South Australia.
Sport Australia funds horse sport primarily through Equestrian Australia. Polo and polocrosse may access:
- Community sport participation grants
- Niche sport investment
State sport agencies may fund polo and polocrosse through:
- Community sport grants
- Rural sport investment (polocrosse's rural community significance)
Gaming grants fund polo and polocrosse clubs:
- NSW ClubGRANTS: Equipment and programme grants
- State gaming trusts: Club development, equipment
Typical gaming grant applications for polo and polocrosse:
- Equipment: Mallets, balls, helmets, protective equipment
- Facility improvements: Arena surfaces, fencing, stabling
- Junior development clinics and development weekends
Polocrosse has particularly strong rural community roots:
- Community trusts: Rural community sport investment
- State rural grants: Some states fund rural community sport
- Agricultural shows: Connection to rural show circuit and agricultural community funding
Polocrosse was developed in Australia and has a particularly strong national community:
- Strong Queensland, NSW, and Victorian presence
- Youth polocrosse is well-developed
- Polocrosse clubs often have significant social and community functions
Junior development is important for both sports:
- Pony Club: Junior riders often come through Pony Club Australia
- Schools polocrosse: Some rural schools have polocrosse programmes
- Junior championships: State and national junior competitions
Both sports have significant women's participation:
- Women's polo competitions at national level
- Polocrosse has strong women's participation throughout the sport
- Sport Australia: Women in sport participation investment
Polo and polocrosse infrastructure:
- Polo fields: Large, well-maintained grass fields
- Arena polo: Enclosed all-weather arena
- Polocrosse grounds: Grounds with specific layout
- Stabling and facilities: Horse accommodation
- Lighting: Some clubs invest in arena lighting
Local councils (particularly in rural areas) and gaming trusts fund minor facility improvements.
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Participant numbers: Players by age, gender, and skill level
- Rural community role: Social and community function of the club
- Junior development: Young players and development pathways
- Women's participation: Female players in the club
- Equipment specifics: Mallets, helmets, protective gear — justified per participant
- Facility needs: Field condition, fencing, stabling requirements
- Club governance: Financial health, affiliation to national bodies
- Community events: The polo or polocrosse club's role in community life
Tahua's grants management platform helps polo and polocrosse clubs manage grant applications across multiple funders, tracking equipment, facility, and participation outcomes that gaming trusts and state agencies value.