World’s Top Polo Players Raise Funds For Seriously Ill and Injured Polo Players and Grooms During the Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge
Eight of the world’s best players and of the next generation take to the field at the International Polo Club to raise funds for the Polo Players Support Group
For Immediate Release
Wellington, FL – February 18, 2017 – Eight of the world’s highest ranked 10-goal polo players will take to the field at the prestigious International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, on Saturday, February 18th, to help raise money for the Polo Players Support Group during the Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge fundraiser.
Now in its 16th year, today’s most accomplished and elite players, including the legendary Argentineans Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres, will compete in the country’s only 40 Goal exhibition match to help raise funds for seriously injured or ill polo players and grooms nationwide. Prior to the main event, gifted junior players, some of whom are the sons or daughters of the featured professionals, will take part in the Bright’s Creek Future 10’s Match.
Co-founded in 2002 by Toronto native, David Offen ,Tim Gannon and Tony Coppola, the Polo Players Support Group was established to provide financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players and grooms, and since it’s inception, the PPSG has paid out over $2 million to 63 beneficiaries to-date.
“Due to the dangerous nature of our sport, it is likely we will continue to find members of our polo family in need of financial assistance,” says David Offen of the Polo Players Support Group. “The generosity of our sponsors, patrons, players and supporters enables us to help those in need, while at the same time enjoying great polo and camaraderie. We are delighted to have Nespresso as the Title Sponsor for our annual 40 Goal Challenge.”
Nespresso, the worldwide pioneer and reference in premium portioned coffee, will return for the third time as the Title Sponsor of the 2017 40 Goal Challenge. On Saturday February 18, the world’s best polo players and the world’s top quality coffee will come together for a most unique and worthy cause.
Two teams of four children under the age of 16 years old will open the event with the Bright’s Creek Future 10’s Match, starting at 3:00pm. These junior players represent the next generation of competitors on the field and will include Adolfo Cambiaso Junior, son of Adolfo Cambiaso from Argentina, who is highly regarded as one of the greatest players ever. Other Future 10’s include Lucas Criado Junior, Lucas Escobar, Hope Arellano, MacKenzie Weisz, Juanse Olivera, Kristos Magrini and Santos Merlos will also compete in front of an expected attendance of more than 3,000 people.
Immediately following the Bright’s Creek Future 10’s Match, the Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge exhibition match will feature two teams of four players. This year’s Team Sponsors Airstream and Pilot Catastrophe Services are both headed by polo players who understand the dangers of polo and are long time supporters of the Polo Players Support Group. Peter Orthwein, Chairman of Airstream, a former 5-goal amateur player recently retired from polo after his twin brother Steve suffered a polo accident and is for now a quadriplegic. Steve continues to work hard every day and is determined to recover.
Following the Match and Trophy presentation, the players, patrons, sponsors and invited guests of those who have purchased tables will then move indoors for the VIP Reception, hosted by master of ceremonies, Tony Coppola of the Polo Players Support Group. The 500 VIP attendees will have an opportunity to bid on Live and silent auction items that will include jewelry, luxury vacations, polo equipment art, and Nespresso’s stylish and innovative machines, including the latest VertuoLine system, which brews both American-Style large cup coffee and authentic espresso at the touch of a button. During a three-course dinner, the evening’s emcee and auctioneer, Tony Coppola, will conduct a live auction, during which guests will have a chance to bid on more than a dozen donated items including a vacation at the Casa del Campo resort in the Dominican Republic, a hunting trip at the Mayer Ranch, Dinner for 100 by Bolay, Duck Hunt at Belleau Farm and a week in Argentina playing polo with former 10 goaler and new Hall of Fame inductee Mariano Aguerre. The annual highlight of the live auction will be bids on each of the La Martina polo jerseys worn and signed by the competing players of the Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge.
“We are delighted to return as the Official supplier of the Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge,” says Adrian Simonetti, CEO of La Martina America. “It really is an exceptional occasion to have the world’s top eight 10-goal polo players on the same field competing against one another. Our continued association and support of this truly remarkable event and charitable endeavor underlines our long-term commitment towards helping the polo playing community and the sport of polo on an international stage.”
That afternoon, presentations will also be made for the Engel & Volkers Best Playing Pony award and the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Shot of the Day award.
Polo Hall of Fame inductee, Rob Walton, broke his neck while competing in 1995 and is now a quadriplegic. The Rob Walton Arena Benefits at Palm Beach Polo and the Rob Walton 40-Goal that originally took place in 2000 at Royal Palm Polo were the inspirations for the formation of the Polo Players Support Group by David Offen, Tony Coppola and Tim Gannon in 2002. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization continues to provide year-round financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players and grooms.
A VIP Gold Package and VIP Standard Package for eight people at the Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge is priced at $5,000 and $3,000 respectively, and includes reserved box seats, reserved table seating at the VIP Reception, dinner and auction and waited table service. Reserved tickets for lawn, stadium and tailgate spectators are priced from $20 to $300 and there are a limited amount available. For ticket information, please contact David Offen on (516) 528-3821 or at info@polosupport.com.