Long polo journey leads to first US Open title chance for Jamaican
Published:Sunday | April 23, 2023 | 1:33 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
THE LONG road that Jamaican Polo player Jason Waite has travelled could lead to one of the biggest accomplishments of his career, as he becomes the first Jamaican to play in the US Open final.
Waite, who is a part of team Park Place, will face Team Valiente in today’s final at the National Polo Center in Florida. The US Open is the most sought-after prize in American Polo and has been played since 1904.
For Waite, the final is the culmination of a journey over a decade in the making since he left Jamaica to pursue the sport. It is an achievement he hopes can be replicated.
“The US Open is the most prestigious tournament played in the United States. I came to the US to play polo around 15 years ago so it means everything to, not only get the opportunity to play at this level, but to also make it to the final,” Waite told The Sunday Gleaner.
“The Jamaican Polo Community is family to me and has been a huge part of helping me get to this point. I hope this can inspire any up-and-coming Jamaican polo players to continue pursuing their dream even if it takes a long time.”
He has done it in his first season with Team Park Place and he has scored three goals in their tournament run. It was an opportunity that came about last year when they invited him for a tryout, which has not only been life-changing for him, but for his technical game.
PRICELESS EXPERIENCE
“The team saw me play last winter and asked me to come to Argentina to try out for the team. Learning from two of the best polo players in the world has been priceless. The Park Place organisation is top-notch and full of the most amazing people,” Waite said.
While playing at a higher standard was an adjustment, Waite was confident in being able to adjust and fulfil his role on the team. Additionally, the team sport and his family have been the catalyst for his achievements this season.
“Park Place is a great team and organisation but playing at this level is new to me. I knew if I could fit into my role, we have all the right parts for success,” Waite said. “All the support from the Park Place organisation as well as my family has helped me to be able to focus on the job.”
The job at hand is to help his team win their first US Open title. They have only been to the final once before, in 2021 when they lost, 13-14, to Team Scone. Valiente won their last US Open title in 2017.
As much as Waite has already achieved this season, he said winning the cup would bring everything full circle.
“It would be the icing on the cake to bring the trophy home for our entire team after working so hard all winter,” Waite said.