Congratulations to Mike Beard, former ASA president and inspirational water polo coach and former chairman of Solihull Swimming Club, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for his voluntary service to swimming and water polo in the New Year Honours List.

Mike, the British League's Independent Financial Examiner, joined Solihull more than 30 years ago and has held most positions within the club - including his current role of treasurer.

He was ASA President in 2000 and served as the first-ever ASA chairman from 2001 to 2006 before concentrating on his current position as finance manager of the ASA West Midlands Regional Board. He received the ASA Harold Fern Award in 2009 for his contribution to aquatics.

Mike still keeps himself fit - thanks to a daily walk to Solihull's Tudor Grange Baths and a minimum one-mile swim!

The qualification tournament for places in women's Division 3 in the 2016/17 season is to take place at the new 25-metre Northampton School for Boys' pool on 20/21 February.

Teams filling the bottom places in the current season (see Info page for details), plus new applicants, will be competing for just three vacancies in Division 3 next September, when the number of women's teams in BWPL reduces to 24.

The £4 million Northampton pool was opened a year ago by double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington. It will stage three more BWPL weekends at the end of this season - Women's Championship 1 (16/17 January); the Women's Championship 2 finale, 30/31 January; and Men's Championship 4 finale (6/7 February).

Congratulations to ex-Lancaster and GB player Scott Carpenter, who made his full debut for Australia's national team, the Aussie Sharks, in a 12-11 victory over London silver medallists Italy in Sydney.

Scott, a product of the Sedgefield club, moved to Australia in 2009 after a stint in Spain and has enjoyed much success - including winning the Victoria State League's Most Valuable Player of the Season award.

He was a dominant force in the former men's National League in the UK, heading the top division scoring chart in three consecutive seasons, including 109 goals in 2007 - which beat the long-standing record set by his father George as a Durham City player.

Fifteen-year-old Maclaren Crawford scored four as Invicta Marlins chalked up their second win of the men's Championship 4 weekend at Leeds University - 17-8 against Dover.

South Derbyshire joined Portobello on three wins, Neil Swainson claiming seven more goals in a 21-7 stroll against Sheffield Dolphins.

It was even more straightforward for Grantham, who blitzed Leeds 21-2, including eight strikes by Ben Caulfield.

Portobello rounded off a perfect weekend in men's Championship 4 at Leeds University with a third win - 16-7 against Leeds. Experienced Fraser Rutherford (pictured) topped the scoring list with six.

Tyldesley beat Sheffield Dolphins 10-7, including three goals by Robert Bond and two each from Lucas McNulty, Tyler Turner and Adam Toone. Dover were twice a goal up against Bedford but eventually went down 9-7.

South Derby and Portobello had no difficulty completing second wins on day one of men's Championship 4 at Leeds University.

Neil Swainson (5) and Dan Hunt (4) led the South Derby scoring in a 17-10 defeat of Tyldesley while Portobello walloped Dover 30-5, with Fraser Rutherford (7), Hadrien Collineau (6) and Ben Scott (5) the top marksmen.

Invicta Marlins scored six times in the last period to beat Bedford 13-8. Dan Bonthuys scored three and there were two apiece for Dan Brown, James Spencer-Boyce, Tom McDonald and Maclaren Crawford.

South Derbyshire launched the men's Championship 4 campaign at Leeds University today with a 15-12 victory over City of Leeds.

The sides were level at 6-6 after two periods, but South Derby dominated the third, building a 12-8 lead with goals by Neil Swainson (3), John Houghton, Conor Brady and Craig Mellors.

Bedford and Sheffield Dolphins reached the end of the third period at 7-7 before Bedford clinched the points with a 9-8 win. Goals by Charles Costin and Justin Irvine made the difference, Sheffield's only response coming from a man-up goal 33 seconds from the end by James Newsam.

Portobello were too strong for Grantham, winning 16-7, including seven goals in a dominant third period.

The League have replaced the postponed women's Super 5s/Championship 1 weekend due at Lancaster University (12/13 December) with matches at Liverpool Aquatics Centre on 30/31 January.

Inevitably, there are some changes to schedules, including the transfer of two Championship 1 games to the Super 5s finale weekend at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, on 13/14 February. See fixtures pages for programme details. 

The women's Super 5s and Championship 1 event due at Lancaster University next weekend (12/13 December) was today postponed due the major flooding problems in the area.

It will be rearranged during the latter part of the season.

Please note that the date of the 2016 annual general meeting of the League is now confirmed - Sunday, 24 April, at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport.