Juan Martin Nero Goes Back to 10
The end of season handicap changes have now been published, following the end of season handicap meeting, the changes are subject to ratification by the Stewards on 25 October, and once done so they will come into effect on 1 January 2017. The list confirms a number of changes that were included in the Victor Ludorum changes published in August.
Juan Martin Nero now rejoins the other 10 goalers who play in the UK circuit after playing the 2016 season as a 9 goaler. He joins existing 10 goal players rated in the UK Adolfo Cambiaso, Pablo MacDonough, David Stirling and brothers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres. It has also been no surprise that La Indiana’s star player Julian de Lusarreta has been raised from 6 to 7, but notably none of the other La Indiana players, who are all a handicap higher outside of the UK, appear on the list.
Top rated players Rodrigo de Andrade, Eduardo Novillo Astrada and Nico Pieres have all been dropped from 9 to 8, despite their handicaps in Argentina being considerably higher.
The remaining list of Victor Ludorum handicap changes published previously included 57 changes to handicaps, with the majority of the higher handicap players seeing drops in their handicaps, whilst the young up-and-coming players have seen a flourish of upgrades.
The youngsters have seen the biggest shake-up, which will fuel the fire for the plans for all the high goal teams looking for a specific handicapped player for the 2017 English season. The 2016 season had 31 under 21s listed as members of the HPA with a 1 goal handicap and 70 under 21s on 0 goal handicaps, so it’s no surprise that the youthful players have all seen a significant number change handicaps. To read the full list of changes, click here.
Photograph: Juan Martin Nero goes back to 10 goals. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com