Singapore Polo Club
| The Club | |
| Location | 80 Mount Pleasant Road 298334 Singapore |
|---|---|
| Owner | Gaelic Athletics Association |
| Operator | Asia GAA |
| Executive suites | 20 |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1914 |
| Opened | 1941 |
| Architect | Japanese Imperial Army Lord Mountbatten |
| Tenants | |
| Asia GAA Singapore Polo Club Japanese Imperial Army |
|
The Singapore Grounds, or better known as Singapore Polo Club is a varied sports centre in Singapore. It is one of the oldest grounds in Singapore. Currently it is headquarters of the Asian Gaelic Athletics Association, or the Asian GAA and the Singapore Polo Club.
History
The Singapore Polo Club was originally located at Balestier Road, but moved to Mount Pleasant for needs of better facilities. After numerous fundraising attempts the grounds were finally founded by Singapore Turf Club, on the condition that they use it as a practice and recreational grounds and had status of it. The Japanese Imperial Army sent volunteers to collaborate in the attempts of a national identity, and the ground was complete and open for play by 1941.
However, during The Second World War, the ground was used as a gun emplacement area by The Japanese Defence Forces and was rented as a squatters camp by the Salvation Army and Japanese Defence Forces. After the war, Lord Mountbatten became the patriot of the ground and re-established the Polo Club. He used his British and Royal influence to renovate the Grounds and establish it as a supreme playing area, with a newly renovated pitch.
Pitch
A new type of grass called Desso GrassMaster was installed in 2000 to improve to surface's quality. The grass, which is natural grass with enhanced artificial roots is ideal for Polo, Gaelic Football and Hurling, as well as the other sports played there.
Facilities
The ground also has a wide selection of suites and other activities. There is a Bar & Restaurant, Riding Area, Gym, Spa, Jacuzzi, Swimming pool, as well as two tennis courts and the pitch.
Gaelic Athletics Association
The GAA regularly sponsors Gaelic Games that take part on the pitch. The Asia GAA Hurling and Gaelic Football squads use the grounds for all home fixtures, which are usually in International Rules against Australia. The facilities are used by the team to train and relax as well, the ground is used as a mediator "embassy" for Irish-Asian players wishing to contact the GAA. As well as the GAA, O'Neills, Ethihad and other companies such as RTE sponsor.
Other sports
The following sports are all facilitated there:
See also
- List of GAA Stadiums by Capacity
- Camogie
- International Rules
- Gaelic football
- Hurling
- Handball
- Sport in Ireland
- Stadiums of Ireland
| Summer Olympic Sports |
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| Winter Olympic Sports | ||
| Other IOC Recognised Sports | ||
| Others Sports | ||
| Paralympics and Disabled Sports | ||
