Hoop-de-do over hoopolo

The Pilbara is known for its iron ore deposits and large port side infrastructure, but against the background of mining, one woman has established herself as an inventor.

When Port Hedland teacher Jenny Neale took delivery of the components for 1000 Hoopolo games earlier this year, it was the realisation of a vision she dreamed of in 2006.

After playing pool while visiting her son and his navy mates, Mrs Neale decided there had to be a way to make the game more exciting.

Mrs Neale thought someone should invent something that incorporated golf and pool.

"So I went home and drew a few little diagrams, put it away in the cupboard and didn't do anything about it for a few years," she said.

Deciding that if she was going to invent the game, she had to do it by the time she was 50, Mrs Neale went to the patent office in Perth and began the long learning curve of invention.

Over the past four years, she has worked with industrial designer Simon Cheung to refine the game into an innovative game for pool tables, indoor/outdoor putting and mini-golf.

Hoopolo was launched at the cruise ship market earlier this year, and Mrs Neale said she was excited people were finally able to experience it.

"Being a new game with no existing ones to compare it to makes it more difficult to explain to people that it's the next best thing since sliced bread," she said.

Mr Cheung has entered the game into the Australian design excellence awards.

"If it goes well it will be good for Hedland and the Pilbara, not just for me, as it will show you can achieve your dreams no matter where you live," Mrs Neale said.

"As I tell the kids at school, you can do anything if you try hard enough."

Mrs Neale's daughter-in-law Kylie Neale said she was an inspiration to the family.

To buy a game, visit [www.hoopolo.com.au|www.hoopolo.com.au] or search for hoopolo on Facebook.