ICM supported a prestigious beach polo event in Dorset last weekend, to raise awareness of the Institute’s local and international services and donate funds to charity from the auction of a signed player’s shirt.

The 2009 British Beach Polo Championships took place over the 10th and 11th July, at Sandbanks beach in Poole, Dorset – on the beautiful south coast of England. The second annual event saw a number of leading business and charity organisations get involved, with boat builders Sunseeker as the title sponsor.

Attracting more than six thousand visitors, the event is an important one in the local business and social calendar, and provided a valuable opportunity for networking and spreading word about the educational and business services that ICM offers.

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In choosing to sponsor the England team, with an impressive line-up of Chris Hyde, Ryan Pemble and Simon Holley, ICM was able to get a signed polo shirt, which will be auctioned off for charity.

Joining such respected international polo stars were a number of famous faces – boxing legend Joe Calzaghe, DJ Phil Faversham from music label Hed Kandi, and supermodel Jodie Kidd, who was originally booked to play but due to work commitments had to be satisfied with watching her brother Jack and teammate Jamie Morrison from the sidelines instead.

Event organiser, Johnny Wheeler, said: “The two-day event was designed to entertain everyone from polo supporters through to families who just wanted to watch the action from the beach. The event also has to attract the world’s finest polo players who insist on great playing and conditions, good competition and a large crowd. It was a huge success all round.”

Chairman of ICM, Dr Alistair Somerville Ford, said: “This has been a fantastic weekend all round and everyone has had a wonderful time. We are very pleased to be supporting such an exciting and progressive sport, and it is great to be able to use the opportunity to raise extra funds for a very special local charity that we are already sponsoring – Nile 2010 – a scouting expedition to help young people in Uganda.”