Welcome to our August news roundup – it’s back to the pool – for some! - July 31, 2020

The great news this past month has been that outdoor pools were allowed to re-open on 11 July, and indoor pools on 25 July.  However unfortunately very many pools have not been able to open, and we are conscious that many face financial hardship due to the months of closure and the need to introduce Covid security measures.  Despite this, a number of clubs have been able to get back in the pool and that is fantastic news.  Hopefully more clubs will be able to return to pool-based training in August, and the coming months.  Unfortunately training will look very different for a while as numbers are limited and clubs introduce training bubbles to reduce the risks of infection, and at this stage the prospect of matches appears some way away.

Northampton Water Polo club were one of the first to train at an indoor pool on 25 July.

Northampton Water Polo, following all Swim England guidance and no GK in sight!

City of Coventry followed the next day…

Fully risk assessed, it was great to see Coventry Water Polo back in the pool

As did Watford…

All checks complete, Watford Water Polo Club returns to the water

Other clubs have taken to open water swimming to keep fit.  Bridgefield Water Polo Club have been training at the iconic Queen’s Dock, Liverpool on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Bridgefield Water Polo Club

Worcester Crocodiles have been training in the River Wye.

Worcester Crocs having fun in the sun!

And 25 members of Worthing Water Polo club enjoyed their first opportunity to train in a pool this month at the picturesque Arundel Lido, in the shadow of Arundel castle

Worthing Water Polo

We all know that water polo players are special people.  Throughout the pandemic we have been struck at the lengths players have gone to help others.  This month we would like to showcase three individuals who have been raising money for charity.

First off a big shout out to Enfield’s Amelia Field-Gould who is training to do a solo swim across the English channel in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children’s charity.  She has already exceeded her fundraising goal of £2,000.  If you would like to support her please visit her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ameliaschannelswim2020

Enfield Water Polo’s Amelia Field-Gould in hard training

Next up is City of Manchester Senior Men’s and GB player, Lewis Daly, who took on a mammoth 24-hour row to raise finds for Bolton Hospice.  He succeeded and so far has raised over £4,000 for the charity www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ld24hourrow .

Lewis Daly smiling on the ergo!

And last but by no means least is 15-year-old Bolton School water polo player and volunteer coach Ellis Matthews.  He and his dad cycled 155 miles from coast to coast on the Hadrians Cycleway over 3-days raising over £1,200 for Bolton Hospice www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ellis-cycle.

Ellis Matthews, and Dad!

And lastly we end on a note of envy for the three canny Bolton School water polo players who were quick to take advantage of summer holidays in Spain before the travel restriction was re-imposed and managed to attend the BiWPA Academy in Barcelona.   Well done you!

BIWPA Academy in Barcelona last month

That’s it for this month.  Please continue to share the amazing things you are doing to keep going during these strange time.  If you have a story to share please let me know by emailing me at ah@waterpoloengland.org .

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