Pommery brings a sparkle to the Archie David Cup
Guards Polo Club has announced a new sponsorship agreement with Pommery Champagne to sponsor the historic Archie David Cup (6th June to 1st July). This leading eight-goal competition has been played at the Club for more than 50 years and always provides some of the most competitive games to be seen on an English polo field during the summer.
Neil Hobday, Chief Executive of Guards Polo Club said: “Pommery has been a long supporter of Guards Polo Club in its role as a Corporate Partner. So we are delighted to develop our relationship to include the sponsorship of the country’s leading eight-goal competition, the Archie David Cup. Pommery brings with it an extensive pedigree in sports sponsorship and we look forward to working closely with them in developing further one of the finest eight-goal polo competitions in the world.”
Sarah Hicks, the UK Director for Pommery, added: “Pommery has been proud of its long association with Guards Polo Club, but has been looking for a more sporting role within the Club alongside its Corporate Partnership. The opportunity to sponsor such a strong tournament not only enhances our relationship with Guards Polo Club, but also highlights Pommery’s continued commitment to polo in the UK.
The Pommery Archie David Cup attracts more than 30 teams each year and so qualifiers will also be held at Coworth Park and Cowdray Park. The leading eight teams will then play their remaining games at Guards, culminating in a magnificent final on Sunday 1 July. A unique feature of the Archie David Cup is that Guards’ own teams that are knocked out in the early stages of the Pommery Archie David are automatically through to the final stages of the Claude Pert Trophy, the final of which will be played for on the morning of 1 July at Guards Polo Club.
This tournament takes its name from one of the founders of Guards Polo Club – Major Archie David. An English teaplanter, he was a passionate player of the sport before the Second World War, competing at his own ground in Henley as well as the country’s other leading polo clubs. After the war, Archie David continued to be supportive of military polo, providing horses for many young officers. Therefore it was a natural progression for him to become involved in the development of Guards Polo Club – originally known as the Household Brigade Polo Club – when it was formed by HRH Prince Philip in 1955.