It is with great sadness that BWPL today (29 April) announces the death of the League’s immediate past-President Pippa Jones, former GB international and one of the sport’s most respected coaches and administrators.

Pippa was appointed President in 2013. In theory, this was to be for a three-year term, but, typically, she took on the role with such enthusiasm and effectiveness that she was asked to remain in office – and did so for a total of seven years.

A member of the City of Sheffield club, Pippa served the sport in so many ways over many years. Until comparatively recently, she was still playing for English Roses in BWPL. She also served the League as a delegate.

The entire water polo community will offer their condolences to Denry, son Joel, who plays for City of Manchester, and family. 

Photo (Trevor Hyde): Pippa pictured last October when she presented the BWPL President’s chain to her successor, Trevor Pledger. Also in the photo is ex-President Gordon Dacre.

We’re all set for the launch of the BWPL’s exciting Champions Cup – at the Alan Higgs Centre, Coventry, on 14/15 May.

For the men’s and women’s winners, there will be wonderful new trophies, generously donated in memory, respectively, of Fred Holehouse, of Invicta, and Mike Glover OBE, former ASA President, BWPL Life Member and the driving force behind creation of the City of Manchester club.

The top four teams in this year’s men’s and women’s Super 5s will be taking part – Manchester, Cheltenham, Lancaster and Solihull men; Manchester, Liverpool, Coventry and Otter women. The refereeing line-up includes Tokyo Olympics official Frank Ohme, of Germany.
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See fixtures page for programme details.

Northampton, Chester and Avondale willl compete in men's Division 5 next season after grabbing the top three places in an exciting qualifying tournament at Haberdashers today.

The very last match proved crucial as Northampton beat Colchester 4-1. Colchester had looked odds on to progress after winning all three matches on Saturday. But, prior to the Northampton defeat, they also lost 6-3 to Chester - and this meant they missed out altogether along with Radcliffe and Bedford. 
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The women's qualifier at Walsall was also closely contested. Scottish representaties Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth started the second day by losing 1-0  to Liverpool Water Beatles. Later, however, they beat Sunderland 9-7 - enough to ensure a place in Division 3 next September along with Manchester Comets and Solihull. Sunderland and the Water Beatles lost out.

There are likely to be some new names competing in BWPL next season.

At today’s men’s qualification tournament at Haberdashers, Colchester won their three half matches – 6-3 against Bedford, 5-1 against Radcliffe and then 6-2 against Avondale, including a hat-trick by Zach Beale.
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In the women’s qualifier at Walsall, Scottish challengers Kintilloch & Kilsyth took three points from two games, beating Solihull 4-2 and drawing 4-4 with Manchester Comets, who scored a final equaliser 28 seconds from the end by 15-year-old Lily Pryce.