Polo, often described at the time as ‘hockey on horseback’, arrived in Nelson in 1873, marking what is believed to have been the first time the sport was played in New Zealand.
The first recorded match took place on Wednesday, 20 March, in the Botanical Gardens. The teams were Messrs Beaumont, Corbett, R. Corbett, Dillon, Monro and Fell, who captained the side, against Messrs McRae, Otterson, Richardson, Sayle, Watts and Wharton, who served as captain.
Players began the match positioned behind their respective goals, while one of the captains stood at midfield to strike the ball into play. Although there were moments when riders came close to being unseated, the match proceeded without any falls.
Physical play was encouraged, with scrimmages and knocks adding to the spectacle and proving highly entertaining for spectators. One difficulty noted was the inequality in the size and weight of the horses, which affected the flow of the game.
The match was considered a great success. Plans were made for another game the following week, along with immediate discussion about forming a polo club. For a time, polo became a regular feature of Nelson’s social and sporting life.
Interest later waned as several key participants left the district. In October 1876, an effort was made to revive the sport with a match between the Blues and the Reds, resulting in a two-goal victory for the Blues.
That same month, another attempt to establish a polo club saw interested players meet at the Masonic Hotel. The outcome of the meeting is unclear, but horse polo soon faded from prominence in Nelson.
By the late 1880s, skating rinks had emerged as popular recreational spaces. In mid-1888, the Princess Skating Rink called for members to form a polo team, proposing nightly practices. Nelson’s first indoor polo match was held in September at the Palace Rink on Bridge Street.
The sport quickly gained popularity, with regular competitions held at several local rinks.
Another variation, water polo, made its appearance in March 1892. Organised by the Nelson Swimming Club, one of the earliest matches took place at Denne’s Hole in the Maitai River. The event struggled due to a lack of competitors and long intervals between matches. The most notable game was between teams led by Messrs Shallcrass and Duncan, with Shallcrass’s side emerging victorious.
Later in 1892, the Moana Swimming Club was formed with 25 members and based its activities at the marine baths at the port. The club’s first organised swimming gala featured water polo matches between the Moana and Leander clubs. However, tidal conditions meant there was insufficient water in the baths at the scheduled times.
In the following year, both the Nelson and Moana swimming clubs hosted galas at Denne’s Hole and the marine baths. These events included water polo matches and offered prizes such as trophies, greenstone pendants, medals, solitaire sets and umbrellas.
Water polo remained popular for many years. Over time, variations such as canoe polo and bike polo emerged, reflecting the sport’s evolution into more modern and organised forms.
