Recent News
WHITGIFTIANS JOIN BRITISH LEAGUE
Men’s Division 5 will have an additional team next season following the election of Croydon-based Old Whitgiftian Waterpolo to the British League.
The club was formed in 1994 as the result of a merger between Old Whitgiftians and Old Mid-Whitgiftians. OMW competed in the men’s National League from 1972 until 1996, gaining Division One status for a single season in 1975.
OMW Swimming Club was always the traditional base for the old boys’ water polo club of Trinity School. The school has developed many fine players over the years, winning the national schools’ championship in 1989, 1991, 1998, 2000 and 2001.
SKY TV COUP FOR BRITISH WATER POLO LEAGUE!
The British Water Polo League has achieved another historic and exciting landmark with the news that men’s and women’s Super 5s matches at Manchester Aquatics Centre on 21 and 22 January are to be screened by Sky TV.
It will be the first time for many years that club games in the UK have been televised. And BWPL chairman David Andrews said today: “It’s a massive coup for our organisation – and perfectly timed, too, as we begin the year of the Olympics.
“This is something we have been working towards for many months. We believe it is a vital move in encouraging the development of water polo from grass roots level upwards throughout this country as well as hopefully opening up opportunities for much-needed sponsorship.”
David Sparkes, British Swimming and ASA Chief Executive, said: “With the British water polo team returning to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1956, I am delighted that through the hard work of the British Water Polo League we will see the game that we invented showcased on Sky TV – and with some of the best clubs in the land battling it out to be crowned league champions.”
The action at MAC will be recorded and an edited “Match of the Day” style programme shown by Sky on dates that will be advertised on the BWPL website.
Clubs are urged to spread the word among their members and encourage as many people as possible to attend the Manchester event in person!
BRITISH LEAGUE MOURNS DEATH OF ROGER HARGREAVES
British Water Polo, and the British League, in particular, lost a great friend with the sudden death on 12 August of Roger Hargreaves, aged 72, former international referee and one of the sport's outstanding administrators.
The former men's National League owes much of its success to Roger, he was its first match secretary between 1966 and 1975 and then served as general secretary (for six years) and treasurer. But his contribution to water polo extended well beyond the NWPL, as the ASA recognised seven years ago when he was awarded the prestigious annual Harold Fern Award, presented for outstanding service by an individual to any of the four competitive disciplines.
Water polo had been a major feature of Roger's life since, as a 12-year-old, he played alongside his father for the Nuneaton club. He went on to gain representative honours with Warwickshire, Leicestershire and the Universities Athletic Union (he studied at Leeds University). And it was with Leamington Spa that he enjoyed great success at club level, playing in the top division of the National League and winning an ASA Club Championship winners' medal in 1975, which led to Leamington's appearance in the European Cup Winners' Cup in Greece.
His refereeing career started at 19 when he joined the Birmingham and District League panel. At 27, he became a National League referee; later on, his international experience included officiating at European Championships and World Masters Championships.
To modern water polo players and referees, Roger was the bearded, avuncular father figure who ensured the smooth running of British League weekends as delegate. Indeed, he was one of the senior officials who helped introduce the delegate system to British polo via the men's National League some six years ago.
To those responsible for administering the National League, and now the enlarged British League, he was a reassuring and ever-willing presence in the background, as a rules guru (he advised the British League on its new rules), on disciplinary matters or anything else that required his knowledge and experience.
Roger was educated at Bablake School, Coventry. At Leeds University, he held his first administrative post, as fixture secretary of the University Swimming Club.
It was at Leeds that he met and married Jill, another swimmer, and they had two children , daughter Chris and son Phil. After graduating, he spent the whole of his working career in management with the National Coal Board and its successors, retiring in 1989 when he was deputy manager of a coal mine employing 1600 men.
Following retirement from international refereeing, he acted as the team manager for the successful women's team of City of Coventry, his original club, in several of their forays into European competition.
Since 1962, he had continuously served as secretary of at least one organisation, including Nuneaton Swimming Club, the Birmingham and District Water Polo League (now the Midland League), the ASA Midland District and the ASA. He was also Midland Water Polo League treasurer.
Roger was a long-serving member and former chairman of the ASA Technical Water Polo Committee and the ASFGB TWPC .
BWPL chairman David Andrews said: "In addition to the personal loss many of us will feel, the League has lost a true friend. Water polo as a whole is poorer for the passing of Roger."
More than 200 people attended the funeral, which took place on Thursday, 25 August, at Nuneaton Crematorium.
Players and officials observed a minute's silence in Roger's memory during the opening weekend of the BWPL season at the University of Bath.
DOUBLE EURO SUCCESs FOR BWPL CLUBS
Congratulations to City of Liverpool and City of Manchester on qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Women’s European Champions Cup.
Both will face the toughest possible opposition from Italy in the last eight. Liverpool meet Pro Recco, winners of Group B in Nancy, France – including a 15-7 victory over Manchester, who finished fourth.
Manchester come up against Orizzonte Catania, who topped Group A in Belgrade, where Liverpool were fourth.
The quarter-finals will be played on a home and away basis. Dates yet to be confirmed. The photo (by Trevor Hyde) shows coach and BWPL president Gordon Dacre planning tactics for Liverpool in their Super 5s match against Manchester at Loughborough University. That's referee Andy Allen sneaking into the picture on the left.
CARLISLE QUIT BWPL WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Carlisle have resigned from BWPL women’s Championship 2 due to a shortage of players.
It means that match schedules and timings will change for remaining tournaments at Gloucester (26 November) and Blackpool (10/11 December). The Gloucester programme will also start later than originally listed. The timing of men’s Championship 3 games at Blackpool is not affected.
Click on the Championship 2 fixtures page for full details.
birmingham's new name
City of Birmingham's second string - newcomers to men's Division 5 this season - have a new name. From now they will be 2nd City Birmingham!
Cardiff Ladies have also changed their name – to Welsh Wanderers. The decision to mirror the men’s team is part of the effort to promote water polo in Wales; and also more accurately reflects the fact that the team is drawn from across South Wales.
BWPL ANNUAL MEETING
More than 50 club representatives attended the second annual meeting of the BWPL at Hockley Heath (27 March), when president Gordon Dacre, of Liverpool, described the league as “the engine room of the sport in this country.”
He said the staging of 550 or more matches over a five-month period each year was a huge task. But the fact it was successfully delivered demonstrated that “we are pushing the game forward as fast as anyone.
“However, I believe there is a lot more we should be doing for the sport as a whole – we need to show as much leadership as possible.”
Chairman David Andrews said the task of fully integrating the men’s and women’s competitions into one organisation was always expected to take two or three years but already significant programme had been achieved. After a season of running men’s and women’s divisions under the old NWPL and NWWPL rules, the 2011 match programme would now be fully co-ordinated.
The President presented trophies to divisional winners. First recipient of the Michelmores Shield (presented for an outstanding contribution to the league as a player, referee etc) was Cheltenham’s David Edwards, the former GB player who has played 36 seasons of top division polo – with no immediate hint of retirement.
The new BWPL treasurer is Jeff Parker, of Lancaster.
MANCHESTER in charge at BUCS FINALS
Manchester and Bristol fought out a thrilling 10-10 draw in the final match of the men’s championships at the BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) Championships in Walsall (19/20 March).
The title went to Manchester – by virtue of superior goal difference in group matches.
Bristol were runners-up, with Birmingham taking bronze. The women’s title also went to Manchester, who won their three matches against Edinburgh, runners-up Bristol and Cardiff.
Men’s results – Manchester 17 Cambridge 8, Bristol 8 Birmingham 7, Bristol 13 Cambridge 5, Manchester 17 Birmingham 9, Birmingham 12 Cambridge 10, Manchester 10 Bristol 10. Women’s: Bristol 11 Cardiff 9, Edinburgh 9 Manchester 12, Edinburgh 3 Cardiff 9, Bristol 9 Manchester 11, Manchester 16 Cardiff 10, Bristol 10 Edinburgh 4.
Other results – Men’s Trophy: Loughborough 5 Bath 8. Women’s Trophy: Manchester Met 15 Imperial 6. Men’s Shield: Edinburgh 9 Univ of West of England 8.
MANCHESTER’S PERFECT FINISH
British League women’s champions City of Manchester won their final match against London Penguin Emperors at Walsall (30 January) to complete an outstanding campaign with a 100 per cent record.
Of the three challenging teams, only Division Four runners-up London Penguin Rockhoppers won their play-off - 8-7 against Invicta – to clinch promotion.
Bristol Central, the Division Two runners-up, lost 9-7 to Liverpool Liver Birds, the seventh-placed team in Division One.
London Penguin Kings survive in Division Two after drawing 5-5 with Carlisle. Our picture features action from Leeds Sharks' clash with Manchester. The Leeds number 2 is Ashley Chattaway.
Click on the divisional news pages for more details.
INVICTA CLING ON TO DIVISION ONE status
Invicta retained their place in the BWPL men’s top division when they defeated Division Two champions City of Sheffield 10-6 in the play-off at Manchester Aquatics Centre (22 January).
In the other play-off, City of Leeds survived in Division Two thanks to a 12-11 success against City of Birmingham, the Division Three winners.
For more details about the men’s play-offs, click on the divisional news pages.
SHEFFIELD CLINCH DIVISION TWO TITLE
City of Sheffield were crowned men’s Division Two champions after a spectacular finale to the season at Loughborough University (8/9 January).
The title was decided in the very last match of the campaign when Sheffield clinched a nerve-racking 6-5 victory over Tyldesley, who themselves had started the match needing one point to take top spot. Our picture shows BWPL Match Secretary David Boot presenting the Wally Rowse Memorial Trophy to Sheffield skipper Richard Rattlidge.
Croydon Amphibians had earlier blown their title chance when they lost for the second time this season to Polytechnic – 11-10. Tyldesley took third place.
At the other end of the table, Otter, whose failure to fulfil fixtures against Sheffield and Polytechnic at Loughborough led to a deduction of five points, finished bottom and will be relegated along with University of Bristol.
Sixth-placed Leeds Sharks will face Division Three champions City of Birmingham in a promotion play-off at Manchester Aquatics Centres on 22 January. Sheffield play the eighth-placed Division One club Invicta in the other play-off, also on 22 January at MAC.
For all the scores from Loughborough and the final Division Two table, click on the results page.
IMPRESSIVE BRISTOL WIN BWPL TITLE
Bristol Central began the season with a top four place as their prime target, admits coach Rhys Tamlyn. In the end, they became the first British League champions by an impressive margin of five points.
“I think it was a draw with Manchester early in the season that made me think we might have a chance,” Tamlyn declared
“What probably clinched it was our victories over Lancaster and Cheltenham at Loughborough University at the end of October when Great Britain captain Craig Figes was not available.
“It’s obviously a big bonus to have a player of Craig’s quality in your side. But, as proved at Loughborough, our success this year is very much down to the fantastic consistency of the squad from one to 13.
“If I had to single out one player for special praise it would be our goalkeeper Andy Crawford.”
Our picture (by Chris Holland) shows Bristol skipper John Sissons receiving the Dr John Howell Memorial Trophy from BWPL Life Member Roger Hargreaves.
Bristol beat Manchester 8-6 and Penguin 15-10 during the final Division One weekend at Bath University (11/12 December). Lancaster, for so long the dominant side in the former NWPL, finished as runners-up after defeating Manchester 7-3 in their final game.
Portobello secured their place in the revamped, eight-team top division next season by drawing with Invicta and beating Welsh Wanderers. Eighth-placed Invicta face the possibility of a play-off for first division survival against the champions of Division Two. Wanderers and Sutton & Cheam drop down.
Worthing defeated Swindon Dolphin 13-10 in the Division 3/4 play-off at Corby (11 December).
The women’s Division One matches at Corby saw Manchester maintain their 100 per cent record with three more wins.
City of Birmingham made sure of the men's Division Three title when they defeated nearest rivals Caledonia 9-8 at Grantham (27 November).
SPRING CUP
In an all-Liverpool final of the Spring Cup, Water Beatles defeated the Lizards 7-4 at Walsall (28 May). Sheffield Sharks took third place while Manchester Barracudas beat new BWPL team Tyldesley 6-5 in the final of the Plate. For results and fixtures, see the Women’s Division 2, 3 and 4 fixtures pages.
BRISTOL AND MANCHESTER AT THE DOUBLE!
British League champions Bristol Central and City of Manchester completed double triumphs at the British Championship finals in Manchester (19/20 February).
For Bristol, it was a particularly tense weekend. They needed a last second penalty in extra time from Jon Hutchings to beat Lancaster 8-7 in the men's semi-final. Then, in the final, only 39 seconds remaining when a goal from Matt Thresher put Bristol into a lead for the first time at 6-5 – which is how it stayed.
In the women’s championship final, Manchester beat Liverpool 11-6 following a 9-5 victory over West London Penguin in the semi. Third place results – Men, Lancaster 10 Cheltenham 8. Women, Penguin 6 London Otter 5 (in extra time).
DEATH OF POLY LEGEND GLYN BERRY
The death occurred on 5 November after a short illness of former Wales and Polytechnic player Glyn Berry. He was 64.
“Big Glyn”, as he was known – he was 6ft 8ins tall – began his water polo career with Willesden before moving to Penguin, initially as a goalkeeper but then, under the guidance of the great Ron Turner, as a forward.
In 1968, he moved to his beloved Polytechnic, where he developed into one of the outstanding forwards of British water polo. Poly built their team around Glyn and they went on to dominate the British game throughout the 1970s, winning six consecutive National League titles.
In 1971, Poly reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, the manager of the Yugoslav champions declaring that he “would gladly have Glyn in his team.”
Glyn gained many caps for Wales and was a member of the first Welsh side to beat England in the Home International Championship. He also represented Middlesex and Southern Counties.
He continued until he was 53 playing for and managing the Stock Exchange team in the Thameside League, a side he first played for at 15. In more recent times, he was a popular starter and timekeeper at disabled galas.
For more details, please contact Peter Berry, PMBerry51@aol.com or 01323 478156.
JOINING THE BWPL TEAM!
Merger earlier this year of the men’s and women’s national leagues to form the British Water Polo League has been a major undertaking. By 2011, teams in nine divisions will be playing more than 500 matches.
BWPL has already made significant progress in achieving two of its aims:
– Demonstrating that all GB’s top competitive clubs can operate successfully within one organisation for the general good of the sport
– Making a significant contribution through discussions with the ASA to supporting an improved deal for GB water polo at all levels
Next stage is to broaden the BWPL administrative structure to deal with the greatly expanded workload of the new organisation. And that’s where we need your help!
BWPL chairman David Andrews explains: “While I am delighted that the huge task of launching the league and organising its first season has been achieved with a high level of efficiency, we now need to involve more people.
“We are not necessarily looking for volunteers to take senior positions. In particular, there are a number of assistant roles we wish to create in a variety of areas – ranging from secretarial and finance to record-keeping and care of BWPL equipment.
“If you, or one of your members, would be interested in joining the BWPL team, we would very much like to hear from you.”
Please contact BWPL General Secretary Chris Ducker, chris.ducker@talktalk.net
GB well beaten by greece
Great Britain men lost 13-2 to Greece in the European Championship qualifier at Manchester Aquatics Centre (20 November).
NEW CLUBS FOR BWPL
The British Water Polo League is proving more popular than ever. A number of clubs have expressed interest in joining the new men's feeder (or fifth) division next year - and there are inquries, too, from prospective new women's teams.
The deadline for entries is fast approaching – 30 November.
For more information, contact General Secretary Chris Ducker, chris.ducker@nwpl.co.uk
WALLER ON TARGET
Invicta’s Jack Waller has made an instant impact playing for his new club SV Weiden in the German Bundesliga (6 November).
Along with Invicta teammate Sean King, Waller made his debut against star-studded German champions Spandau 04. The SV Weiden website report (translated into English) says:
“SV Weiden provided in the first minute of play an event for the history books. The newcomer Jack Waller scored in the 42nd second into the Spandau goal with his first attack to give the lead against the record champions.
“His shot was also the first goal in the new Bundesliga season and also the first by a British national player in the German water polo league. Waller scored one more, securing – just like his British teammate Sean King – two goals in the historic match.“
Unfortunately, SV Weiden eventually went down 15-6.
DEATH OF GEORGE EVELEIGH
Welsh water polo is mourning the loss of former international referee George Eveleigh, who died on Monday, 13 September, following a lengthy illness. He was 57.
George moved from Salisbury, Wiltshire, to Wales in the early 1970s to study engineering. He soon became involved with the Cardiff club as secretary and as organiser of numerous popular tours and tournaments.
He played for Cardiff in the Bristol & West League and National League before taking up the whistle and rapidly becoming one of the country’s most respected referees.
George accompanied the Welsh team to international tournaments and qualified as a LEN official, refereeing at major tournaments, including the European Championships in Bonn in 1989.
After his university studies, George became a maths teacher at Bettws High School, Newport, where his enthusiasm and coaching expertise inspired a number of his pupils to take up water polo and represent Cardiff and Maindee Olympic.
More recently, he held a senior teaching post at Afon Taf High School, Merthyr Tydfil. He was about to take early retirement when diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
After retiring from refereeing, George took a break from water polo for a while. But when daughter Christine inherited his passion for the sport – she played for Cardiff and now represents City of Coventry in the BWPL – he returned, preferring to help out at club level and, typically of his modest approach to life, referee at no more than local level.
George lived at Treharris and leaves his wife, Pauline. The BWPL expresses its condolences to Pauline and Christine at this sad time.
The funeral takes place on Wednesday, 22 September, at St Matthias Church, Treharris, CF46 5HQ at 1.45pm, then at Llwydcoed Crematorium, CF44 ODJ, 3.20pm. Refreshments will be served at Llechwen Hall, Cilfynydd, CF37 4HP, at 4.45pm.
MAJOR BOOST FOR NORTH EAST POLO
After 15 seasons competing in the old NWPL, City of Newcastle Water Polo Club will begin the first British League campaign with a new name – Team Northumbria.
It’s the result of a partnership with the University of Northumbria that will be the envy of many clubs.
In an ambitious bid to improve the depth, standard and profile of water polo in the North East, the club and the university have reached agreement which will see Northumbria University manage and develop the men’s BWPL squad, alongside their BUCS team, as well as encouraging talented players to study at the university and creating opportunities for more women to play the sport.
The ‘new’ team is based at Northumbria University’s 25 metre, six lane, all-deep Sport Central pool and will be supported by the University in a package that includes access to sport science, physiotherapy and strengthening and conditioning services.
At the same time there will be an exciting addition to the coaching team with former GB captain Neil Bowers working alongside Paul Renforth, who has coached Newcastle for the past 24 years.
Newcastle secretary Richard MacAlister commented: “Northumbria University is very ambitious to promote excellence in sport for both open and student clubs. We now have an opportunity to build a great water polo club with much improved facilities and coaching.”
EURO TIES IMPACT ON BWPL WOMEN'S SCHEDULE
The involvement of West London Penguin and City of Liverpool women's teams in the qualifying round of the LEN Trophy on 11/12 December has led to changes in the BWPL Division One schedules in the second half of the season.
For a revised programme, click on the fixtures pages.
The challenge of LEN competition takes both Penguin and Liverpool to Italy. The London club go to Imperia where they meet ZEW Zaragoza, of Spain, local team RN Imperial and French side USB Bordeaux.
Liverpool will be in Rapallo to face SKI Moscow, host club Rapallo Nuoto and Universite de Lille, France.
LEAGUE UNVEILS NEW LOGO
The British Water Polo League has a new logo – created by Watford and West London Penguin player Paul Skerm, who runs his own North London-based design studio specialising in brand communications.
Paul was one of numerous polo friends who responded to the challenge of designing something that would be both appropriate and also adaptable for display in anything from websites (the new BWPL website will be launched soon) and shirts to banners and other promotional items. The quality of entry was high, making the final choice extremely difficult for members of the league’s shadow board.
Paul has played for Penguin first team since he was 18. Actively involved in the sport for 18 years, he still turns out occasionally for Penguin in the National League as well as playing local league polo for Watford.
Paul Skerm Design create engaging design solutions across a diverse range of design/media platforms through their creative network. For more information, visit www.paulskermdesign.com.
BIRKENHEAD QUIT NATIONAL LEAGUE
Founder members Birkenhead have reluctantly resigned from the National League (14 May), a decision largely brought about by the repercussions of a local authority decision to close three pools in the Wirral area, including the club's traditional 'home'.
Birkenhead's place in Division Three in the 2010 season will be taken by Ealing, the Division Four runners-up last year.
Until now, Birkenhead have been one of only four clubs with a proud record as ever-presents in the National League since the launch in 1962. The others are Cheltenham, Polytechnic and Sutton & Cheam.
The resignation decision will be a particular blow to Allan "Mugs" Murray, the former GB international who, as Birkenhead club secretary, has attended every NWPL AGM since the inaugural meeting 48 years ago.
LANCASTER CHALK UP ANOTHER DOUBLE SUCCESS
National League champions Lancaster completed another double triumph when they defeated Bristol Central 13-7 in the final of the British Championships at Manchester Aquatics Centre (March).
The result was never really in doubt once four goals from Tom Curwen helped Lancaster to a 6-1 lead in the first period.
Bristol, however, will be satisfied with their first appearance in the finals after a three-year absence. A fine team performance ensured a 10-7 victory over City of Manchester in the semi-final. Lancaster beat Rotherham 13-8 in the other semi-final.
Rotherham claimed the bronze medal position with a narrow 9-8 success against Manchester.
In the women's competition, City of Manchester defeated West London Penguin 8-7 in the final.
Our picture shows David Bush, Lancaster's outstanding former GB goalkeeper.
RAF FLYING HIGH
The RAF continued their domination of the Inter-Services Water Polo Championship by claiming a sixth consecutive title (July).
Coached by Jerome Read, the RAF beat the Army 16-6 and the Royal Navy 17-6. In the other match, the Navy defeated the Army 17-11.
The BWPL supported the tournament by providing technical assistance with timing and scoring equipment. In the build-up to the competition, the RAF played training matches against BWPL clubs Sheffield, South Derbyshire, Bedford, Cambridge and Grantham.
