Oliver Hughes: Deputy CEO of Hurlingham Polo Association

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OUTSIDE THE BOARDS PODCAST
SEASON #2 | EPISODE #7: Oliver "Olly" Hughes
RECORDED: February 1st, 2022

On this Episode of Outside The Boards, after 10 years at the
helm, I’m thrilled to welcome Oliver “Olly” Hughes, the Deputy
Chief of the Hurlingham Polo Association. The governoring body
for the sport of polo in the United Kingdom and Ireland.


Way back in the mid 1980s Olly was introduced to polo whilst in
the Cotswold Pony Club. Although the opportunities to play were
restricted to the few summer weeks of the Pony Club Polo season,
Olly was well and truly bitten by the bug.


After the culmination of a successful Pony Club career, and a
brief flirtation with higher education, he headed to South
America to be immersed in polo. A career in polo developed from
there and having achieved a three goal handicap he was lucky
enough to work for the likes of Black Bears, Ellerston and
Bulldogs Polo Teams and has also managed Ansty, Checkendon and
most recently Beaufort Polo Clubs. 


Along the way he gained experience of working in the “real” world
when he managed health clubs on behalf of two hotel chains. He
joined the HPA office in 2012 and lives near Cirencester with his
wife and two teenage children. 


Olly has done some incredible things for the sport in the UK in
the last 10 years, most notably the creation of the Hurlingham
Polo Associaiton’s own clothing line. Olly is a great friend and
I feel honored to have gotten to know him more on this episode,
and excited to watch him and the Hurlingham Polo Association do
great things for the sport in the next decade.

WELCOME TO OUTSIDE THE BOARDS PODCAST
The OTB Podcast was created with the goal of introducing
listeners to people, places and stories and provide a unique
behind the scenes perspective of the sport of polo that breaks
all the common stereotypes. While discussing key issues affecting
the sport today and the constructive sharing of ideas, insights,
solutions and best case studies for the purpose of advancing polo
globally. The Podcast will have honest conversations with polo
industry leaders, enthusiasts and awe inspiring people who make
this sport great and fun to be around.

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