Adam and his team have made Riverlands Polo Club into one of the leading and most respected polo clubs in Australia.
ADAM MEALLY – CEO
Adam started playing polo at the age of 14 and has worked for various high profile Australian players like Jim McGinley (8 Goals) and Derek Reid (6 goals). During this time Adam received valuable experience in the polo world including the care and management of polo ponies. In 1999 Adam started a polo management business specializing in Pony Management and coaching, gaining experience and knowledge in client management.
Adam sits on the board of the New South Wales Polo Association and is one of 7 NSW polo handicappers. Adam is a 3 goal player and has played in countries such as the UK, Italy, Poland (representing Australia) and South Africa, he has played in up to 22 goal polo tournaments.
STEVEY MURPHY – Marketing, PR & Events
Stevey’s passion for polo is clear as manager of the Family owned and operated Bluesky Pastoral Company – breeders of polo/performance horses – and being a dedicated polo player herself for the past 5 years, Stevey is well known in the polo community for her commitment to the sport. Outside of polo, Stevey has been involved in the events industry for over seven years, in her past role as Business Development Manager at GPO Sydney she was managing a collection of 14 venues – restaurants, bars and cafes.
ERIN MEALLY – Polo Manager
Having recently come back from a 2 year stint in Africa where she worked as a Horseback Safari Guide and Safari Lodge Manager, Erin brings to the Riverlands Team a wealth of knowledge in horse care and management.
Andrew Williams – Coach
Andrew Williams is one of Australia’s highest rated professional polo players. Rated at 5 goals, Andrew has played right around the world, twice been part of Australia’s World Cup Team and recently captained it.
Andrew has been appointed as New South Wales Polo Association’s Professional Coach. He has held clinics for all levels of players and utilises his university training of human movement when designing his courses.
Entusiastic about coaching and growing the sport of polo in Australia, Andrew has recently held clinics throughout country NSW for the NSW Polo Association. The specific aim of these clinics was to introduce new players to the sport.
Lessons are available with Andrew all year round at Riverlands Polo. He is able to provide lessons designed specifically for the individual, group clinics and team coaching.
Earl Herbert – Coach
Earl Herbert started playing polo in 1981 in Hawkes Bay NZ. Earl has attained a ranking of 6 goals in 1989 and maintained that for 10yrs and has represented NZ on numerous occasions.
1984 – 1990 played in England. Played several times against Prince Charles beating him in the final of the Archie David, the biggest 8 goal tournament of the English season and being awarded the trophy by the Queen.
In 1991 Earl moved to Australia to live, as part of the penance to be paid for being married to a beautiful Aussie girl.
1997 – 2001 worked as Kerry Packers horse trainer, a highlight was in 1997 winning the 20 goal De Ville Gold Cup in France playing with Gonzalo Pieres 10 and his son Gonzalito (who was 14 yrs old and on 3 goals worth 5 goals and is now on 10 goals), beating Carlos Gracida and Javier Estrada in the final.
Earl now spends most of his time playing in the Richmond area and is a valuable member of the Riverlands Coaching team.
Gavin Chaplin – Coach
Coaching Credentials:
- South African National coach – Open Team
- National coach – 14 goal FIP world cup team playing in Mexico 2008
- Resident coach – Jurassic Park polo school
- Invitations to coach in 2008 – USA, England, Kenya, Tanzania, Malaysia & Australia
Team Successes:
- Coached winning South African team in World Cup Trials in NZ – 2007
- Coached winning team in South African Open, 16 goal – 2006 & 2007
- Coached patron, Leo Baxter/Stonefield from 0 – 2 goals in 15 months
- Coached the 10 goal Wexford team, turning a 23 game loosing streak into a team that lost 1 game in 2 seasons.
- Worked and coached the Ingwenya 16 goal team for 3 years. Lost 5 games in that time.
Personal Profile:
- Highest rating – 7 goals.
- Grew up in a polo family – Dad was 8 goals & Mum 4
- Played for and captained South African National Team
- Won South African 22 goal Championships, aged 16
- Played and worked for 10 goaler, Eduardo Moore
- Passion is coaching, polo & golf
