Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 2013 to Take Place 18-19 May

Pearling’s Paspaley family, and brewing’s Cooper family have confirmed their sponsorship of this month’s Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 2013.

The popular event will take place on the weekend of 18-19 May on Broome’s Cable Beach in the Kimberley region of northwest Australia.

The Commonwealth Bank Kimberley Challenge, which will see young Indigenous stockmen team up with leading polo players, is the showcase match on Saturday, 18 May, when Coopers, the official beer sponsor for the tournament, will transform the ticketed VIP marquee into the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge.

Paspaley pearls is Match Title Sponsor of one of the key elements of the event, the Paspaley International Beach Polo Cup, which will see a team of leading Indian players take on the home side on Sunday, 19 May.

Coopers Chairman Glenn Cooper sees Pinctada Cable Beach Polo as an ideal fit for the ales that five generations of his family have been brewing in South Australia since 1862.

“The Kimberley coast, one of Australia’s natural wonders, is an ideal backdrop to showcase our beers which are truly Australian and all natural with no preservatives or additives,” Glenn said. “We are now the nation’s only Australian-owned major brewery so it’s also a good fit to hook up with Australia’s only beach polo tournament.”

Tickets are available at to join players in the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge which will also feature Kronenbourg 1664, a French premium lager that Coopers has been distributing in Australia since July last year.

“Kronenbourg 1664 is popular in international polo circles but still relatively undiscovered in Australia,” Glenn said. “The Kimberley is a world famous destination for adventure and discovery and we also see it as a perfect opportunity for people to explore the finest beer France has to offer in Kronenbourg 1664.”

Marilynne Paspaley’s Pinctada Hotels & Resorts, a venture that is independent of her family’s pearling interests, is the event title sponsor and underwriter while its flagship property, Pinctada Cable Beach, is the tournament’s official hotel.

“Pinctada Cable Beach Polo is an inclusive event and the beach polo action is free to watch picnic-style from the sand or spectators also have the option to purchase tickets to the VIP Marquees,” said Marilynne. “Each day of the tournament has a different theme – Saturday is the more casual ‘Australian beach day’ and this theme will be embraced when the marquee is transformed to the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge. To reflect the glamour and excitement of the international clash on the Sunday, the marquee will be more akin to Melbourne’s Spring racing carnival Birdcage with a ‘barefoot elegance’ dress code.”

Tickets to the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge on Saturday, 18 May, include cuisine by Broome restaurant, The Aarlie, a fine selection of beers by Coopers as well as Kronenbourg 1664, and a selection of Bunamagoo wines and Belvedere cocktails. Tickets to the Pinctada Cable Beach Polo VIP Marquee on Sunday, 19 May, include catering by Pinctada Cable Beach’s award-winning Selene Brasserie and a fine selection of beverages, including Veuve Clicquot champagne and Bunamagoo wines, which will be served throughout the afternoon. A Weekend Marquee Ticket is also available.

In addition to the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge on Saturday, an alcohol-free family marquee, sponsored by the Shinju Motor Group, has been created in support of the Isolated Children's Parents Association.

“This is a terrific opportunity for families from remote regions in the Kimberley, as well as Broome local families, to experience the beach polo and cheer on the young Indigenous stockmen who will be teaming up with the captains of the Australian and Indian teams in the Commonwealth Bank Kimberley Challenge,” Marilynne said. “We want to ensure Kimberley families have the opportunity to enjoy the comfort of the marquee at a family price.”

Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 2013

Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 2013 features leading polo players and ponies competing in four matches.

The Broome International Airport Challenge and the Commonwealth Bank Kimberley Challenge will be played on Saturday, 18 May from 11:30 – 15:30.

The Pinctada Hotels & Resorts Challenge and the Paspaley International Beach Polo Cup, which will see an Indian team vie for glory against the home side, will be played on Sunday, 19 May from 12:30 – 17:30.

Each match is four chukkas with three players per side – this is one of the key differences between beach polo and traditional field polo, which has four players per side. Beach polo is also played with a larger sized coloured ball.

Admission

Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 2013 is free to watch from the sand. Tickets are available to the VIP Marquees and can be purchased online.

There are four Marquee ticket options as follows:

Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge: The VIP Marquee will be transformed to the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge on Saturday. Entry includes a fine selection of beers by Coopers and Kronenbourg 1664, a French premium lager, as well as Bunamagoo wines and Belvedere cocktails. The ticket price also includes tapas, which will be served throughout the afternoon by Broome restaurant, The Aarlie. Ticket price: A$195

Pinctada Cable Beach Polo VIP Marquee: Sunday’s VIP Marquee tickets include catering by Pinctada Cable Beach’s award-winning Selene Brasserie and a fine selection of beverages, including Veuve Clicquot champagne and Bunamagoo wines, which will be served throughout the afternoon. Ticket price: A$320

Weekend Marquee Ticket: Those wishing to attend the VIP Marquee on both days of the tournament can save with a Weekend Marquee Ticket, which includes entry to the Coopers 1862 Kimberley Lounge on Saturday and also the Pinctada Cable Beach Polo VIP Marquee on Sunday. Weekend Marquee Ticket price: A$450

ICPA Family Day Marquee: This is an alcohol-free marquee, created for families to enjoy Saturday’s beach polo action in comfort at a family price. Ticket price: Free for the under-18s and A$50 per head for adults. Soft drinks, high tea and gourmet hotdogs will be available for purchase.