Welcome to 2017 and your Jan club news - December 31, 2016

Happy New Year to all water polo players, supporters, coaches, referees, officials and volunteers! We hope you had a fantastic Christmas and that the teams are now back training and looking forward to the coming year.

December was a busy month on the awards front with many clubs combining Christmas parties with awards ceremonies. Below are some of the award winners.

West London Penguin WPC held a Juniors’ end of term fun tournament and party and also gave out the following awards –

• Most improved younger player: Georgia Mouratidi
• Most improved older player: Samir Garnie
• Best new comer: Irakli Antidze

Beckenham WPC’s Player of the Year award went to Holly Campbell. Holly has had some fantastic achievements this year in the National League, with Scotland and as part of Beckenham’s London League team. Congratulations also to Jamie Spencer-Boyce who was named as Beckenham WPC’s most improved player of 2016.

Jamie Spencer-Boyce

I can also report that Beckenham WPC players Nick Jackson and Sasha Tinkler Davies were awarded the “2016 players of the year for Kent”. Very well done to them.

City of Preston WPC’s award for the Most Valuable Player for 2016 went to Ian Leach. The Most improved Player for 2016 was Chris McKenzi. Mike Marvel was voted the Players’ Player.

Congratulations go to Enfield WPC’s Myles Venn for winning the Ken Hall Best Junior Member Trophy for 2016.

Well done also to Bridgefield WPC’s Mike Kelly on winning the Liverpool & District Water Polo Player of the Year award.

Mike Kelly receiving his award

All good teams need a good coach so congratulations to Grantham WPC coach, Josh Peters, who was awarded the Pat Duffy Young Coach Award at the recent 2016 Youth National Sport Trust Talent Camp. The prestigious four-day event took place at Loughborough University and saw England’s most promising young sports people being put through their paces in a series of intense workshops, master classes and practical sessions.”

Josh Peters

Aleks Kozlowski

West London Penguin WPC has named Aleks Kozlowski as the winner of Jack Petchey Award for November 2016. The scheme is a reward and recognition initiative that enables schools and youth organisations to celebrate the achievements of their young people. Aleks has been a member of the club for just over a year and is a great role model. He is one of the older players and has been a good support in the running of the club. He bravely took up the sport at age 16 and despite initially finding it exhausting, Aleks immediately loved the game and has trained with optimism and determination. Aleks always anticipates what will be most helpful, whether it is explaining to new children why he is passionate about water polo, or helping organise the younger members, to whom he sets a brilliant example of respect and cooperation.

On the game front, Lancaster City Swimming and Water Polo Club held their annual development tournament at Salt Ayre on 18 December 2016. There were 10 teams competing in the 12 years and under tournament. The winners were Bridgefield WPC who beat Sheffield WPC 5:3 in the final. A fantastic event. Well done to everyone who took part.

Bridgefield water polo club

This December Otter women’s team took on some of Europe’s best teams in Group D of the LEN Euro League in Padova, Italy. The team contained a mix of young strong players as well several more experienced players to take on previous Italian, French and Spanish champions.

Otter kicked off their campaign by scoring 3 goals in a defeat to host professional team Padova with goals from Kathy Rogers (2) and Emma Hamilton-Foster (1). Otter then had a strong game against Lille securing the first goal of the game in the first minute and Otter were down by only 1 goal at the end of the first quarter. Lille hit back hard in the second quarter which prompted a strong second half from Otter but Lille emerged as winners; Otter goals from Izzy Dean (1), Brooke Tafazolli (1), Mhairi Nurthen (1), Rogers (3) And Hamilton-Foster (2).

Otter finished off their group stage matches against Spanish club Mataró who are the reigning LEN Trophy winners. Again, Otter had a great start to the game with Mataró leading by just one goal 3-2 after the first quarter with Otter scoring the first goal; however, the game resulted in Otter losing to Mataró, with Otter goals from Peggy Etiebet (1), Dean (1), Hamilton-Foster (2) and Rogers (2).

Otter women’s water polo LEN Euroleague team

To play against the best teams in Europe as well as practising new and developing tactics is an experience that will be used back in the British Water Polo League which continues with the start of the Super 5’s and Championship 1 in January.

Looking forward to the New Year, Warrington WPC are running Beginner Sessions for boys and girls aged 10 to 16 to encourage existing swimmers to apply their swimming skills to the fast paced exciting team sport that is water polo. There are two initial sessions on 21st January and 25 February. If you know anyone who may be interested in attending please contact the club at warringtonwaterpolo@gmail.com or call 01925 967172.

West London Penguin WPC is also looking to grow their squad of under-18 water polo players. They would love to hear from anyone aged 10 and over, interested in joining the club or giving the sport a try in a fun and enjoyable way. No previous experience of water polo is necessary; their experienced coaches will teach everything new players need to know. To book a FREE TRIAL please contact Sue Seagroatt on 07980 577082, hillingdonwaterpolo@hotmail.com.

I also understand that Sunderland WPC is looking for some women’s friendly games to take place between now and the end of March. If anyone is interested please tweet them @SunderlandWP!
I hope you find this report of interest. I aim to showcase what has been going on in English Water Polo clubs over the last month and flag up forthcoming events. If you have any news that you would like to share about your club please contact Anne at ah@waterpoloengland.org.

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