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.
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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