The 2009 Dream Team

Chief "Eighteen" Wheeler

What can we say about the Chief? Well, he is Captain of The Pukka Chukkas, the coach - yep, we let the fat bloke do the coaching - and mainstay (his words, not ours) of the Team. When not riding elephants in Nepal you can usually find him in an expat bar or curry house somewhere in Africa, invariably practising drinking games or playing dominoes. In his mis-spent youth he played a bit of rugby, although life in the front row has changed over the years (there was a lot less running around back then, which is fortunate 'cos the Chief is rubbish at running around!). He has also asked us to take this opportunity to convey his respects to Chief Oyibo, who is a very Pukka Chief, and also to Chief Sunday Bello, who is a very Pukka Chief too. The Chief lists his hobbies as elephant polo, curry & beer (not necessarily in that order). You will notice from the photograph that he has exquisite dress sense!

Melanie "Constance" Wheeler

Melanie, a.k.a. "Snorty Pukka", is the beating heart of the Team (our words, not hers) and her heart is beating particularly fast at the moment because she started knitting scarves for The Pukka Chukkas in 2008. Given we have 6 players and 8 months to go to the 2009 tournament, this could be a tall order (or a short and narrow scarf). Melanie has done her share of travelling, and when out and about on the town she especially enjoys eating chocolate and destroying washbasins - Pat, it's about time that caricature went up on your bar wall. Mel lists her hobbies as demolition, chocolate and hugging elephants - she also listed knitting but we need evidence!

Simon "Boris" Race

Whilst one of the younger players in the team (his words, not ours), Boris brings some invaluable elephant riding experience to the Pukka Chukka’s from his spiritual pre-work travels throughout Asia, which included three months in Nepal. Originally from England, Boris now lives in Perth, Australia, the most isolated city in the world. He is a passionate rugby follower who now chooses to wear the ‘Green and Gold’ opposed to the beloved white with red rose. Listing his two beautiful daughters as the most important part of his life, Simon is well known to Australia’s Oil and Gas industry where he works as an insurance broker. As well as trying to keep fit and healthy, hobbies do include fine wine and food, the mandatory ‘Pukka Chukka’ love of curry, and his slightly metro sexual tendencies of collecting anything by Ted Baker.

Andy Tan

Polo new comer - elephant or otherwise - Andy is a keen all round sportsman, squash player and travel enthusiast. When not taking part in sporting events of which he has no prior experience or chance of excelling, Andy enjoys boring people with the endless virtues of renewable energy and Arsenal football club - not necessarily in that order. Having committed himself fully to the cause of elephant polo, Andy can now cite a pony trek through the backwaters of Falmouth and recent recitals of the Jungle Book's Elephant song as his two greatest preparatory exercises to date. When asked about what he saw as the biggest challenge of entering into the world of elephant polo, Andy responded: 'Staying on top of the elephant after an evening of trying to win my captain's respect and approval for selection by matching him drink for drink. Its going to be a long and hard week!'

Greg Scott

Greg is one of the newest and youngest members of the Pukka Chukkas at a baby faced 24. He originates from South Africa and is a die hard Springbok fan, much to the displeasure of Chief and the other members of the team. He is soon to join the fun world of corporate law in London, where he will be firmly entrenched in Canary Wharf for the next few years. He has spent a great deal of time with elephants around the world in the past, but has not ridden any in a tournament…until now!! He is hugely ambitious with firm intentions to come back with the rest of the team as Elephant Polo World Champions. Whilst being a first timer to the elephant polo circuit, Greg’s hobbies include rugby, cricket, a casual pint, a decent fillet steak and of course Chelsea FC.

Simon "Flash" Ashton

This 30 year career, oilfield hand & executive has travelled the world extensively and currently claims to be 1/3rd British, Dutch and now Australian. He often can’t decide which suits him best but is often dependent upon the sport he is involved in. He mostly claims to be just your normal, middle aged adventurer (fast approaching 50) having recently completed the Kilimanjaro climb, the Kokoda Track, Kalimantan trek and NZ South Island alps crossing. His elephant riding experience consists mainly of sedate holiday strolls in Thailand but as a paid up gym junkie, tennis player and cricket tragic he reckons that 2 days of practice should ease him into polo with few problems!!