A message from Stephen Philip, President, NSW Polo Association:
Australian polo has lost one of the most significant figures in its history with the passing of Jim MacGinley on 10 May 2017.
As recognition of his impact in the sport, Jim was one of the inaugural inductees in the APF Hall of Fame.
A long and distinguished career on the field culminated in a handicap of 8 goals.
Jim is widely regarded to have significantly influenced a change in the structure of play in Australia following his return from a playing stint in the United States.
During his career, Jim played with and against the world’s best payers of his time and was held in the highest regard by teammates and opponents.
Jim was first selected to play for Australia in 1967 and was the 39th player selected to represent his country. Jim represented his country on 14 occasions and was captain in 13 of those games – the third most capped representative player in history and Australia’s equal second longest-serving captain.
Jim won most of Australia’s major trophies including the Australasian Gold Cup (5), Easter Gold Cup (5), Northern Challenge Cup and many significant trophies in the US.
Whilst fiercely competitive, Jim will also be remembered for his sportsmanship on the field. He rarely questioned or challenged the umpires decision and played the game in the spirit that it should be played. In recognition of these attributes, the perpetual trophy for the best and fairest player at the Australian Open was named after him.
During a lifetime in polo, Jim continued to shape and influence the sport through coaching, developing young players and training superb horses.
Jim will forever be remembered as a seminal figure in Australian polo history.
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Pat MacGinley advises the funeral will be mid next week (w/c 15 May) in Beaudesert, followed by a wake at Elysian fields.
The Australian Polo Hall of Fame has offered to collate a tribute booklet that explores Jim’s polo career. We invite comments and tributes from as many as possible, which will be included in the appendices of the book. Please send them to nsw@australianpolo.com.au
Photo above: Jim MacGinley riding "Poley" Champion Pony Test 1985 Warwick Farm (Was sold after this game for the highest price ever paid for a polo pony in Australia at that time to USA)
Photo below: Jim and Pat MacGinley with Jim Gunn and Antony Baillieu
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