Nov 24, 2020 9:30 AM
SHAREWe wanted to give you a brief update on the NOCSAE helmet requirement and the latest developments as we navigate the integration of the requirement into our rules and play. We have become aware that, due to unforeseen manufacturing delays, a number of players have yet to have their helmet orders fulfilled. Further, these orders will likely not be fulfilled ahead of the January 1, 2021 effective date for the USPA's NOCSAE helmet requirement.
As a result, the USPA Chairman, with the consent of the Executive Committee has decided to issue a rules variance to delay enforcement of the NOCSAE helmet requirement until March 1, 2021. We hope that this will provide enough time for everyone who has ordered helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification to get their helmet. While we are temporarily delaying enforcement of the NOCSAE helmet requirement until March 1, 2021, the USPA strongly encourages members who have helmets that meet the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification to wear such helmets.
The USPA will continue to monitor the situation and update the membership as needed.
The USPA would like to share the following information regarding the upcoming changes to the USPA Helmet Requirements (Outdoor Rule 4 and Arena Rule 3). Beginning March 1, 2021 players participating in USPA Events and Club Events, which include any USPA National, Circuit or Sanctioned tournament or league, any Intercollegiate/Interscholastic or National Youth Tournament Series event, as well as any club-level game, league or tournament, will be required to wear helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 Polo Helmet Standard. Over the past several years, the USPA Safety Committee has done extensive research on polo helmet safety and has consulted with experts in the departments of bio engineering, sports safety, and liability. In the fall of 2017, the Safety Committee recommended that the Board adopt a rule requiring players to wear a helmet that meets the NOCSAE Polo Helmet Standard to help to reduce the possibility of brain injury. The Board recently approved the changes to the USPA Rules to take effect March 1, 2021, provided that more than one helmet that meets the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved polo helmet standard is available to the membership. The Board will continue to monitor the availability of helmets that meet the NOCSAE standard. Please review the following information and feel free to reach out to USPA Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan at ldolan@uspolo.org should you have any questions.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
Read More