MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership student (Cohort 3) Harry Rourke was selected to represent the University of Oxford in its recent Varsity polo match against the University of Cambridge. The match, held on Saturday 31 May at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, saw Oxford take home a 5–2 win – with Harry scoring two of the goals.
The Varsity Match is an annual match between Oxford University Polo Club and Cambridge University Polo Club, played between teams of four players. It is the second oldest continuing polo match in the world. The event attracts thousands of spectators yearly and is a well-established and hugely popular fixture of the British sporting calendar.
Harry began playing polo 12 years ago through the Royal Navy. Despite having no previous horseback riding experience, he undertook 20 lessons before taking to the field on a polo pony. While most of his early polo was played with the Royal Navy at Tidworth, later he bought his own horses and played in Cheshire near his home.
Since then, his passion for the sport has taken him around the world. Harry has played in Argentina and South Africa and represented the Navy against the Royal Air Force in the Duke of York Cup and against the Army in the Rundle Cup. He also competed in the Inter-Regimental at Guards Polo Club – the oldest polo tournament in the world – and played for Combined Services Polo against the USA. Harry holds Royal Navy colours for polo and is currently rated with a handicap of 0.
Initially, Harry joined Oxford’s polo squad after reaching out to the club at the beginning of the season. He shared, ‘I happened to be on course at Oxford when squad trials were on, and the course director kindly gave me time off to attend. I was then selected for Varsity, after which I had to rearrange some holidays (with the support of my wife), so I could attend all the pre-varsity fixtures.’
The Varsity match proved challenging, with Cambridge fielding a strong side and excellent horses. ‘We knew it was going to be a tough match. Cambridge had prepared well, had individually skilled players and arranged some very good horses. What got us through was teamwork and positive play. We remained relaxed, supportive but focused throughout,’ said Harry.
Alongside the excitement of competing, Harry found that playing polo complemented his experience as a student on the MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership course, delivered in partnership between the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Saïd Business School.
‘Playing polo during my MSc has given me a different focus around my studies,’ Harry shared. ‘It has been a reminder that teams are far greater than the sum of their parts. It has exposed me to a part of Oxford I might not otherwise have seen.’
Congratulations to Harry and the Oxford polo team on their well-earned Varsity victory. We wish Harry the very best with the rest of his studies on the MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership programme.
Click here to learn more about the MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership and how it supports professionals like Harry.