In the week that it very proudly became a city, Colchester has another reason for a big celebration – the water polo team will be competing in men’s Division 5 next season!

The opportunity arose when City of Cambridge, after 14 years’ unbroken membership of the League, decided recently to withdraw.

Colchester, who finished fourth in the qualifying tournament in April, were offered the opportunity to fill the gap and jumped at the chance.

​We welcome Colchester as the latest new BWPL playing member.

Two very special presentations took place during the Champions Cup weekend at Coventry when President Trevor Pledger handed over the League’s annual Most Valuable Player awards – to Vicki Hawkins, of City of Coventry, and Lancaster’s Marc Robinson (Photo: Trevor Hyde).

These awards are all about recognising outstanding and consistent contribution to the sport and to the League. And the Committee reckon no one will argue with the current choices!

Vicki began her water polo career with the Halesowen club in the Midlands. One of her earliest successes involved helping the Midlands win an inter-district age group title - as the only girl in the team!

She had a long association with Warley Wasps and also played in BWPL for Solihull and Manchester before starring for Coventry in the Super 5s. A GB international - she was in the training squad for the 2012 Olympics - Vicki is now a teacher based in Cheltenham.
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Season by season, Marc, known to all as Mabba, performs heroics as Lancaster’s goalie. He started with the Kendal club and then, like his brother Glen, joined Lancaster, benefiting from the coaching of the late Ron Winn. He played for Solihill, aged 16, in the BWPL, then Carlisle, before claiming the no 1 goalkeeping role at Lancaster. 

Liverpool Lizards became the first women's Champions Cup winners when they edged out City of Manchester 11-10 in a dramatic final at Coventry this afternoon. Manchester made no mistake in the men's final, beating Cheltenham 13-6.

The women's match was evenly fought for the first two periods, which ended at 7-7. A smart save by Liverpool goalkeeper Hayley Price, leading to a fine breakaway goal by captain Katie Hesketh, edged Liverpool into an 8-7 lead. And the advantage stretched to 11-7 as Hesketh converted two penalties.

This heralded a nail-biting finale, in which goals by Izzi Howe and Rosie Huck narrowed Liverpool's advantage to 11-10 with 1.17 to go. Manchester countered - hoping at the very least to force a penalty shoot-out - but they couldn't break down the Liverpool defence again. 

Katie Hesketh received the new Mike Glover memorial trophy from Mike's widow, Julie Allsopp. 

Said Katie: "We have developed as a team throughout this season and I think this win against a very strong, well organised Manchester side was a reward for the hard work. We are particularly proud to be the first winners of a trophy in honour of Mike Glover, who did so much to develop women's water polo in this country."

In the men's final, Joe O'Regan set Manchester on the path to victory with four goals in the first period. He finished with six and there were also three goals for Jordan Elliot.

Match referees were Mike Jukes and Olympic referee Frank Ohme, of Germany.

Photos (Trevor Hyde) - Above: Katie Hesketh and her team celebrate their title win. Below: Men's champions City of Manchester.

Otter claimed third place in the women's Champions Cup at Coventry today by defeating Coventry 18-11. Lucy Bullock (5) and Katy Cutler (4) led the Otter scoring; six of the Coventry goals were scored by Vicki Hawkins.

Lancaster's depleted team produced a spirited performance against Solihull in the men's third place game before losing 12-10.

Six unanswered goals in the first period set City of Manchester girls on the way to victory over Otter in the opening match of the new BWPL Champions Cup event at Coventry today.

The day began with a minute's silence as a tribute to two BWPL life members who died recently - ex-President Pippa Jones and former NWPL men's chairman Steve Monico.

Annie Clapperton, top BWPL goal scorer this season, once again led the way for Manchester, netting four of the first quarter goals. Otter rallied later and Katy Cutler hit the target three times - but Manchester were never seriously threatened and will now face Liverpool Lizards in tomorrow's gold medal match. Liverpool defeated Coventry 11-4.

Manchester's men also progressed to tomorrow's title game, beating Solihull 12-8. The Midlanders led 2-0 at the end of the first period, thanks to two goals by Arthur Davies. But Manchester recovered to go 3-2 up when Joe O'Regan scored one of his five goals at the end of the second quarter and were able to control the rest of the game.

Tomorrow's gold medal game will be between Manchester and Cheltenham, who eased through with a 24-8 victory over an understrength Lancaster team.

Photos (Trevor Hyde) - Above: Annie Clapperton scores the first goal for Manchester against Otter, shrugging off a tackle from Katy Cutler. The other Otter player is Lucy Bullock. Below: Joe O'Regan in dynamic action for Manchester men.

Steve Monico, BWPL Life Member and former men’s National League Chairman, has died at his Bedford home following an illness.

His many years of outstanding service to water polo began as a player with his home town club Bedford. Then, in 2002, Steve took over as an inspiring chairman of the NWPL, a position he retained until his retirement at the League’s final annual meeting in 2010 (NWPL’s amalgamation with the National Women’s League to form BWPL followed later that year).

His achievements included the launch of the NWPL website, forerunner of the current BWPL site.

Steve, a chartered accountant with his own Bedford-based business, was a keen golfer and a past Chairman of the Bedfordshire Golf Club.
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BWPL offers its condolences to Steve’s wife Judi and sons Rohan and Adam.

The funeral takes place at Bedford Crematorium on Wednesday, 1 June, 1.45, followed by a wake at Bedford Rugby Club.