The game is similar to traditional polo but the riders use pushbikes rather than horses.

Organiser Mark Riddell said the sport, which originated in Ireland in the 1800s, had few rules — the main requirement is to avoid touching the ground with your feet.

Teams are three per side and the first team to five points wins.

The mallets are made by Mr Riddell using ski poles and polycarbonate gas pipes, and the ball is a sponge wrapped in duct tape.

“It’s very DIY,” Mr Riddell said.

“You don’t need expensive equipment — rather than spending thousands of dollars on a mountain bike or a road bike, this is really easy and really accessible.”

Mr Riddell acknowleged the riders had to be careful not to collide while watching the ball — small crashes happened more than once while The Border Mail observed the game.

But helmets and the casual pace at which the game is played meant the tumbles caused no harm; rather, the spills encouraged laughter from players, who included Kris Mandeville and Rick Hay.

Polo will be played at the basketball court next to Adamshurst in David Street every Sunday, beginning between 9am and 10am.

The matches are free but Mr Riddell said the group would look at hosting barbecues to raise funds for Border Community Cycleworks, a new not-for-profit organisation teaching youths how to repair and maintain pushbikes.