Major changes will take place in the British League schedule next season after the BWPL Committee conceded that there was no option during the current coronavirus pandemic but to cut the programme in half.

Instead of the usual two phases, starting in September, the 2020/21 programme has been reduced to eight divisions (five men’s, three women’s) in which the teams play each other once – seven games.
The new launch date is 24/25 October, although even that is not guaranteed. If necessary, the reduced programme would be put back to the start of 2021.

League chairman David Andrews has written to clubs explaining the rationale behind the decision. He says: “I appreciate that all this is a huge step for the League – and no doubt a great disappointment to many people. But there are numerous factors that bring us to this point.”

The most obvious, of course, is that no one knows yet when pools will be open, let alone when Swim England, in consultation with the Government, will sanction a resumption of water polo, very much a contact sport.

Other concerns for the League include the need to cancel existing bookings to avoid paying for non-use; the financial impact of the pandemic on club finances; and the likelihood of increased travel/accommodation costs both for clubs and the League’s officials once the season does get under way.

Mr Andrews writes:  “As ever, the main priority throughout our discussions has been to act in the best interests of you, the League members, as well as the many officials who make possible the whole operation of our competition and also to ensure the ability of the League to function fully when normality returns.”

The BWPL’s prestigious Dave Warriner Memorial Trophy, which recognises outstanding service to the League and to water polo in general, has been awarded this year to table official Duncan Holmes, of Lancaster.
 
As might be imagined, there’s a great deal more to 'big Dunc' in a sporting context than someone who these days is a familiar and highly respected face at many different tournaments throughout the country.
 
Duncan (Photo: Trevor Hyde) joined the Lancaster club in 1968 and was part of the first Lancaster team to win a national title, the under-18s, in 1978. He represented Lancashire and Northern Counties at junior level, claiming national titles with both; then, as a senior, he moved to goalkeeper, playing for Lancaster throughout the club’s rise through the divisions of the former men’s National League.
 
A bizarre water polo injury in 1995 brought a premature end to his playing career. It led to his becoming team manager – and the glue behind the scenes – as Lancaster embarked on a period of domination that earned a total of 12 National League titles and 10 British Championship victories between 1996 and 2011.
 
At that time, Duncan began assisting on the table, his expertise and skill eventually leading to the well-deserved honour of appointment as a 30-second official at the 2012 Olympics.
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A veteran former international and a current Super 5s goalkeeper are to receive this year’s BWPL Columbus Direct most valuable player awards. The women’s accolade goes to Sheffield’s Linzi Gaywood, who, after an astonishing 36 years in top flight polo, still plays in the Super 5s. Our men’s winner is Ben Alcorn, of Invicta, but very much a product of the Worthing club.
 
“Most valuable”, it should be stressed, doesn’t necessarily mean the best player. The awards acknowledge a high level of commitment, loyalty and dedication of players to the club scene and the sport as a whole.
 
Linzi, now 58, made a spectacular sporting debut as a 13-year-old swimmer, representing Wales and Great Britain in sprint freestyle events. She competed in the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton in 1978, but, once women’s polo became established in the early 1980s, transition to the sport was inevitable – father Ted Motley and brother Chris were both GB internationals.
 
Linzi played for Loughborough University, Nottingham Northern and City of Coventry and, by 1985, became a key member of the Great Britain team that competed in the first women’s European Championships, then the first World Championships in 1986.
 
Back in Sheffield, she created the Sheffield Sharks team in 1987. The many players she has coached include her children Alex and Eleanor. Last season was probably the first time a mother and son have represented the same club in the Super 5s!
 
Ben Alcorn has been a fixture in Invicta’s goal for a number of seasons, a player whose consistency was recognised when he joined the GB squad preparing for the 2012 Olympics.
 
His introduction to the sport was hardly promising. He’d experienced a version of water polo in a hotel pool while on holiday and wanted to try a more serious version at the Worthing club. “His first deep water session was a bit of an eye-opener,” recalls Worthing’s Alastair Roberts. “I commented to other coaches that he would never make a player because he couldn’t swim! How wrong could I be!”
 
Ben knuckled down, improved his swimming and worked on his polo skills. His career really blossomed after changing from outfield to goalie, helping Invicta win a national age group title. Nowadays, he is lead coach of the South-East region boys’ squad as well as a member of Worthing’s coaching team and balances busy training, playing and coaching schedules alongside a career as a primary school teacher.

Photos: Trevor Hyde

The League received a fantastic response to the launch of our virtual table officials' course, run by BWPL official Mike Hesketh.
 
All ten places on offer were instantly snapped up. So we will now be running a second course next Wednesday, 13 May, offering it, in the first place, to the next ten people who registered previously. Taking the lead will be the League's table officials' co-ordinator Michele Padbury. If you are still interested in taking part, or would like to be involved in the future, please register by going to  https://mailchi.mp/cf25e6118d8e/ezavym1gq9.
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A reminder that tomorrow (10 May) is the notional date of the League’s AGM – and the start of a consultation period (lasting until lunchtime on Sunday, 17 May) in which club reps can ask questions and raise issues, as would happen at a “normal” annual meeting.
 
The Committee will hold a virtual meeting on 17 May. We’ll then collate all questions and comments – plus our responses – and circulate to clubs.
 
The big question now is whether the pandemic will allow a prompt start to the 2020/21 campaign in September. League Chairman David Andrews says: “In these tough times, your Committee has been working towards running next season 'as usual'. But it is becoming increasingly likely that this will not be possible.
 
“We will be putting together our plans with key dates identified should a standard season not be feasible and will publish these thoughts and circulate with the AGM Q&A papers.”
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We’re thrilled at BWPL to announce the award of Life Memberships to retiring President Pippa Jones and her predecessor Gordon Dacre.

Pippa (Photo: Trevor Hyde) will be standing down on 10 May after an extended seven-year stint. In every sense, she has been a hands-on President from day one. Quite apart from her work to support the League’s administration, Pippa holds the unique honour of playing in BWPL while in office – for English Roses!

Gordon was President for three years prior to Pippa’s appointment, which recognised his long connection with, originally, the former men’s national league, followed of course by his continuing inspirational leadership of the City of Liverpool Club.

BWPL chairman David Andrews said: “This is richly deserved recognition for Pippa and Gordon, who have both made tremendous contributions to the League, either behind-the-scenes or on poolside.”
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Pippa will be handing over the Presidential chain to her successor, Trevor Pledger, as soon the League returns to full action.
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Pools may be shut and the coronavirus lockdown still firmly in place, but we continue to work hard behind the scenes at BWPL to prepare for next season – whenever it gets under way. Currently, we’re taking an optimistic view and hoping that the scheduled start of 19/20 September can still apply, but watch this space for up-to-date news!

In immediate prospect is the annual general meeting – inevitably, an online affair this time, as clubs will know as a result of information which has been circulated to all in the last few days.

The League have stuck to the original 10 May date for the AGM as the notional date for this year’s meeting, so, on that day, we will announce winners of all the annual awards via both this website and the regular League newsletter.

Prior to that, clubs will receive comprehensive officer reports. Then, between 10 and 17 May, there is to be a consultation process when club reps can raise issues as would normally happen at a more traditional annual meeting. All questions – and responses from the Committee – will be published to clubs in due course.
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Meanwhile, if you’re wondering right now how to fill your days, how about taking part in the BWPL’s virtual table officials’ course? For any player or supporter, it’s a great way of viewing water polo from a very different perspective. Details of how you can get involved will be announced via the League newsletter and website very soon.
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Former ASA President Mike Glover, one of the most influential figures in British water polo for more than 30 years, died yesterday at his Manchester home following a long illness.

His many achievements included the successful role of tournament director at the European Championships in Sheffield in 1993; a stint as GB women’s coach; plus, of course, being the driving force behind the creation of the City of Manchester water polo set-up.

Mike’s coaching career began when, as a teacher at Plant Hill School, Manchester, his team won the national schools’ under-16 title. He then began coaching at Bolton School, where a succession of national schools’ titles followed. His ties to the school remained for the rest of his life – his ASA President’s Jacket is still proudly displayed there.

As a player, Mike was a rugged, left-handed forward who spearheaded the Plant Hill team that took part in the former men’s National League in the 1970s and early 1980s. He was a Life Member of the British League.
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After much careful debate at a teleconference meeting last night (17 March), the British League Committee made a number of key decisions. These include:

Deducting five points (Rule 108.2.6) from Caledonia and Portobello for not attending the men’s Championship 1 finale at Grantham last weekend; and from York City for not fulfilling two Championship 3 fixtures at Haberdashers.

Confirming both the cancellation of the Super 5s finale at Coventry and the award of the men’s title to City of Manchester, whose girls had already won the women’s competition.

Cancelling the Champions Cup, due on 25/26 April, but with a firm commitment to reinstate it next year.

Postponing the men’s and women’s qualification tournaments until September.

Postponing the League’s annual meeting, due on 10 May.

Confirming Polytechnic as champions of men’s Championship 1 (Cheltenham waived their opportunity to challenge).

Caledonia’s points deduction ends their promotion chances from men’s Championship 1. Polytechnic and Cheltenham have already qualified. There are three teams on equal points in third place – Sutton & Cheam, Watford and Welsh Wanderers. To determine which one goes up, they will be invited to complete this season’s matches against each other before the start of the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
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All the above, of course, is a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Swim England have cancelled all their events between now and the end of May.

Hucknall and Croydon Amphibians will join champions Cheltenham Spartans in Division 3 next season after success on the final weekend of men's Championship 3 at Haberdashers.

Rotherham Metro finished level on points with Hucknall and Croydon. But, despite excellent wins against Cheltenham and Southampton, they missed out as a result of defeats against their rivals earlier in the season.

Croydon made sure of a top three spot with a 19-4 defeat of Tyldesley. Hucknall beat Bridgefield 14-11.

Photo (Trevor Hyde): Rotherham's Oliver Fodden lines up a shot today against Michael Sheath, who had an outstanding game in goal for Southampton.