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Welcome to our latest edition of the England Water Polo News! - November 1, 2021
October has been a busy month with many clubs seeing action in the British Water Polo League and other events. Many of our athletes have also taken part in international events. There is a lot going on!
A busy Ponds Forge
Games got underway for the Men’s British Water Polo League (BWPL) at Ponds Forge on 9 October. Some excellent photography (below) shows the split 50m pool in operation with a Division 1 match between City of Manchester and newly promoted Welsh Wanderers on the right and on the left, the Division 5 match between Chester and Cambridge. City of Manchester were in impressive form defeating Welsh Wanderers 25-12. They are currently top of Division 1.
Worthing senior men’s team in action
This month also saw the Worthing senior men’s team play their first competitive matches for 18 months in Division 3 of the BWPL at Haberdashers School. This was the same venue that they last played at before the pandemic grounded all teams in March 2020. It was tough opening to the season but they did well drawing against Hucknall and then winning against Birmingham.
Watford Men’s Team
Watford have been busy in the BWPL this month. The Watford Men’s Saxon Team played in Division 5 at Ponds Forge at the start of the month and secured wins against Sedgefield (10-5) and Cambridge (13-8) which left them at the top of the Division after winning 4 out of 4 matches played.
Watford Women’s Team
The Watford ladies’ team were in action over the weekend 30/31 October in Division 3 against West London Emperors and City of Manchester in Liverpool.
Lancaster City Swimming & Water Polo Club
Lancaster City Swimming & Water Polo Club also started their BWPL campaign in style this month with a 9-6 win over Invicta in Sheffield. Unfortunately, they lost their second match to Cheltenham. However, the team went on to win the Tommy Hussey trophy in Fleetwood on 30 October without conceding a match.
Last year’s BWPL Division 1 champions, City of Manchester Women, were back in action and in fine form defeating Caledonia 27-11 and then Otter (11-6) to secure their position in the Super 5’s tournament.
Bristol Water Polo Women’s Team
It has also been good to see Bristol Water Polo Women playing in Division 2 of the BWPL. This month they played against Rotherham Metro and Birmingham.
Devonport’s Ladies water polo team celebrated the club’s competitive return to its home pool, the Plymouth Life Centre’s Diving Pool, with a thrilling 23-12 victory over Newton Abbot in the Devon County Ladies League. Devonport’s scorers were Jasmin Coleman (9), Daisy Riley (6), Jessica Garrad (4), Ella-Louise Jones (3) and Daisy Elsmere (1). The ladies’ match was followed by a friendly between a Devonport team and Devon U19s, with Devonport winning an entertaining encounter 14-13. Six of Devon’s goals were scored by Devonport’s own Will Connett.
Devonport’s Ladies water polo team
This was an important moment for the club as, in addition to having to cope with lockdown, they have had to cope with the shock of losing their home pool, the Plymouth Life Centre, due to refurbishment. They had to take the club on the road, and trained at Mount Kelly, Tavistock, for a year. Unfortunately, they were unable to take their mini polo section with them. For over 10 years, Devonport has never had fewer than 40 Under 13s but on the return to the Life Centre in May they had only 3 players. We are pleased to say that numbers are now growing again, and they already have close to 20 in this age group. Hopefully the success of the ladies’ team will encourage other players to join the club.
Congratulations to Bailey Sapsed, winner of the Jack Petchey award in 2020
Hillingdon Water Polo club have announced the November winner of the Jack Petchey award. This time it is the turn Bailey Sapsed who has transformed from a good swimmer into a great water polo player. If you would like to follow in Bailey’s footsteps the club are holding trials for younger swimmers to join their thriving Development Squad. They are looking for local boys and girls aged 10-13. If you are interested in joining this exciting club please contact them on hillingdonwaterpolo@hotmail.com
Hillingdon have also hosted the first junior Winter London League tournament attended by West London Penguin, Northampton and Watford.
Enfield Men’s Water Polo team
The Bishops Stortford Water Polo Tournament took place on 23 October. Our congratulations go to Enfield who came second at. Well done!
Normal service resumes, Sevenoaks v Beckenham
It is also good to see clubs arranging friendly games such as the match Sevenoaks hosted against Beckenham (below)
That’s it for this month. If your club has any news you would like us to showcase please contact us at ah@waterpoloengland.org
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Latest News
Welcome to our latest edition of the England Water Polo News! -
October has been a busy month with many clubs seeing action in the British Water Polo League and other events. Many of our athletes have also taken part in international events. There is a lot going on!
A busy Ponds Forge
Games got underway for the Men’s British Water Polo League (BWPL) at Ponds Forge on 9 October. Some excellent photography (below) shows the split 50m pool in operation with a Division 1 match between City of Manchester and newly promoted Welsh Wanderers on the right and on the left, the Division 5 match between Chester and Cambridge. City of Manchester were in impressive form defeating Welsh Wanderers 25-12. They are currently top of Division 1.
Worthing senior men’s team in action
This month also saw the Worthing senior men’s team play their first competitive matches for 18 months in Division 3 of the BWPL at Haberdashers School. This was the same venue that they last played at before the pandemic grounded all teams in March 2020. It was tough opening to the season but they did well drawing against Hucknall and then winning against Birmingham.
Watford Men’s Team
Watford have been busy in the BWPL this month. The Watford Men’s Saxon Team played in Division 5 at Ponds Forge at the start of the month and secured wins against Sedgefield (10-5) and Cambridge (13-8) which left them at the top of the Division after winning 4 out of 4 matches played.
Watford Women’s Team
The Watford ladies’ team were in action over the weekend 30/31 October in Division 3 against West London Emperors and City of Manchester in Liverpool.
Lancaster City Swimming & Water Polo Club
Lancaster City Swimming & Water Polo Club also started their BWPL campaign in style this month with a 9-6 win over Invicta in Sheffield. Unfortunately, they lost their second match to Cheltenham. However, the team went on to win the Tommy Hussey trophy in Fleetwood on 30 October without conceding a match.
Last year’s BWPL Division 1 champions, City of Manchester Women, were back in action and in fine form defeating Caledonia 27-11 and then Otter (11-6) to secure their position in the Super 5’s tournament.
Bristol Water Polo Women’s Team
It has also been good to see Bristol Water Polo Women playing in Division 2 of the BWPL. This month they played against Rotherham Metro and Birmingham.
Devonport’s Ladies water polo team celebrated the club’s competitive return to its home pool, the Plymouth Life Centre’s Diving Pool, with a thrilling 23-12 victory over Newton Abbot in the Devon County Ladies League. Devonport’s scorers were Jasmin Coleman (9), Daisy Riley (6), Jessica Garrad (4), Ella-Louise Jones (3) and Daisy Elsmere (1). The ladies’ match was followed by a friendly between a Devonport team and Devon U19s, with Devonport winning an entertaining encounter 14-13. Six of Devon’s goals were scored by Devonport’s own Will Connett.
Devonport’s Ladies water polo team
This was an important moment for the club as, in addition to having to cope with lockdown, they have had to cope with the shock of losing their home pool, the Plymouth Life Centre, due to refurbishment. They had to take the club on the road, and trained at Mount Kelly, Tavistock, for a year. Unfortunately, they were unable to take their mini polo section with them. For over 10 years, Devonport has never had fewer than 40 Under 13s but on the return to the Life Centre in May they had only 3 players. We are pleased to say that numbers are now growing again, and they already have close to 20 in this age group. Hopefully the success of the ladies’ team will encourage other players to join the club.
Congratulations to Bailey Sapsed, winner of the Jack Petchey award in 2020
Hillingdon Water Polo club have announced the November winner of the Jack Petchey award. This time it is the turn Bailey Sapsed who has transformed from a good swimmer into a great water polo player. If you would like to follow in Bailey’s footsteps the club are holding trials for younger swimmers to join their thriving Development Squad. They are looking for local boys and girls aged 10-13. If you are interested in joining this exciting club please contact them on hillingdonwaterpolo@hotmail.com
Hillingdon have also hosted the first junior Winter London League tournament attended by West London Penguin, Northampton and Watford.
Enfield Men’s Water Polo team
The Bishops Stortford Water Polo Tournament took place on 23 October. Our congratulations go to Enfield who came second at. Well done!
Normal service resumes, Sevenoaks v Beckenham
It is also good to see clubs arranging friendly games such as the match Sevenoaks hosted against Beckenham (below)
That’s it for this month. If your club has any news you would like us to showcase please contact us at ah@waterpoloengland.org
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