Sport
7 July, 2025
Local player selected for international polo match
Local business owner Katie Porteous, a member of the Downs Polo Club, has been selected to represent Australia against South Africa at an International Match to be held on 3 August 2025 at Bromelton House in the Scenic Rim.
Katie said she was extremely overwhelmed to be representing her country for the first time.
“This is an exciting and very honourable opportunity,” she said.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted and worked towards for a long time.
“It’s rewarding for many others and other generations here too.
“I was first taught by Jim MacGinley who came from here, and then coached and mentored by his younger brother Pat MacGinley – one of the greatest players in Australian polo history.
“There’s an extraordinary depth of polo flowing through this region.”
Playing South Africa is going to be tough for the Australian Women’s team.
“But we’re fortunate to have played a range of very strong and competitive internationals already here,” Katie said.
“They’ve been very tough girls and very elite competitors from around the world.
“South Africa will also be strong physically and require us to be much tighter, and everyone will have to be right on their man or woman as it may be.
Katie is expected to be playing forward or number one with more experienced team members, Phillipa Fitz-Henry and Indiana Bennetto, at the back.
“This is an absolute honour and most amazing achievement.
“I’ll definitely be playing for my country, my team mates, and for all our supporters.
“Women’s polo is a fast-growing sport as well as being an extremely fast team-sport for all types of players where any person of any size and makeup can really have a go.
“You don’t have to be six foot tall nor weigh 100 kilograms - mastering the skills of horsemanship is the real key to polo and becoming faster and tougher on the field."
