Vanuatu polocrosse began in Port Vila (the capital) in 1980, when Fred Kleckham arrived there to manage Undine Bay plantation on Efate island, which houses the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila. An experienced player from Papua New Guinea, he got together with the local station owners. The first game ever, was played at Undine Bay plantation. Within two years the first visit by an overseas team came from Queensland captained by veteran player Peter Eton and accompanied by current Queensland President, Terry McKinnon.
The Port Vila club has now folded due to lack of a land lease and other factors. However, there are Port Vila players who annually visit Santo to contest the Vanuatu Brewery Shield.
In 1990, Rob Shaw and Fred Kleckham inspected a site on the island of Espiritu Santo, one hours flight north of Vila, which is 50 acres enfolded in horseshoe bend on the river Sarakata. This land has been allowed to the club for the lifetime of the club whilst it continues to operate.
The town of Luganville is the capital of "Santo" and has a population of 10,000, of whom approx 130 are expatriate and possible 150 Chinese who are general traders, restauranteurs and merchants. There were 200,000 Americans based here in World War 2 and Santo is world famous for its scuba diving at Million Dollar Point and on the wreck of the 654 foot long President Coolidge, which was a luxury liner converted to a troopship, which sank with 5000 men on board. Only two lost their lives.
Back to Polocrosse:
With a lot of organisation and running around, sponsorship was sought and found. Bush clearing was effected by Rob Shaw. Harold Tavner graded the field which was then properly surveyed and pegged. Fletchers donated a shipping container for storage. Fencing, yards and an open clubhouse were erected with working bees and donated timbers cement, wire and roofing iron etc. Thanks go to Neil Croucher, Trevor Gerhart, Ben Mullen, South Santo Cattle Project, Kuvu Noel, John Casey, the Donovan family, Liz and Dennis Lampard, Nichiku Vanuatu, Toru Mochizuki, past President Kevin Green and many others for the perpetuation of the Santo Polocrosse facility.
The main sponsors for Santo Polocrosse Club are Murray Parsons/Vanuatu Breweries Ltd and Ben Sands/Vanuatu Agriculture Supplies.
There are many more names to thank, some of whom remain resident and others who have moved on. Vanuatu's expatriate society, typical of a third world country, is very transient and we never know from year to year what numbers are going to do with arriving newcomers. We canvass strongly for the club annually to ensure its survival, and do everything we can to enable volunteers on local salaries to become members.
The club has progressed to owning a number of horses and saddlery, which it leases to short term residents and those without funds to invest in full kit. Privately owned horses are agisted at the club at a very nominal fee to encourage participation. In fact, in years when the horse riding contingent is down in numbers, all fees (excepting membership) are waived by the committee to ensure the club attracts players to its ranks.
We also have a very good stereo unit and an inverter which keeps us swinging away in the clubhouse in between games.
The polocrosse season is from beginning of April until the end of October. The summer months are too wet, humid and hot for the horses.
Games are held every Sunday fortnight and there is a bar and barbecue at very good club prices. We play on a grass field surrounded by coconut trees and bush.
There are also local rates for Vanuatu citizen members to enable them to join and play polocrosse. There are some ni-vanuatu members but the game is unfortunately not of traditional or cultural interest and so the participation level is low.
The objective of the club is to be a surviving social venue for equestrian active people, and to encourage learners and children to participate in all activities. We do not need a lot of money in the bank - only enough to ensure annual operations proceed.
The club reserves the right to select the teams on the day.
Vanuatu horses have over the years been infused with quality lines but are essentially station bred types. There are no professional horse trainers or professional facilities.
This year it is hoped to install the groundwork for a 1000 metre racetrack so that an annual Picnic race meeting can be held. This might eventually lift club funds to financing a more permanent facility with a grandstand, enclosed storage and clubhouse and staff quarters, thus encouraging different equestrian events and possibly peripheral sports such as cricket. Polocrosse however would remain the controlling lynchpin of the club and its activities.
Currently other activities include trail rides, swimming the horses in the river and an annual end of season Fun Day which takes in gymkhana type games and a bare back beer skolling race (the Brewery Stakes). This year (2000) might see the introduction of a tube race down the river.
Santo Polocrosse Club Committee for year 2000
President and Umpire: Fred Kleckham, Club Captain: Mark Donovan, Treasurer: Angela Hollis, Secretary: Stephanie Rabou, Toru Mochizuki, Nuku Wallace.
Address for 2000 is c/- Fred Kleckham, PO Box 393, Santo, Vanuatu. Tel (678) 36517. Fax (678) 36628. Email
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We extend out an open invitation to anyone anywhere to join with us or organise a visiting team. Our close proximity to Australia and New Zealand might restrict team visits to those countries - but all players are welcome. This year we have had many visiting yachties and scuba divers in our ranks - both learners and competent riders. Every one has had a ball. Except on an official visiting team basis, SPC reserves the right always to select teams to play on any day, to ensure balanced and entertaining games. All players must sign a form indemnifying the the club against any form of legal action, as we are unable to get an insurance policy to cover our needs. Travel insurance would wisely include horse sports and scuba diving if visiting Vanuatu.
