First off, we have a new team member here at England water Polo!! We are very pleased to report that James Spencer Boyce has agreed to assist with managing the England Water Polo Instagram account. James is currently studying at the University of Exeter, and is a former England U21 international who now plays for Invicta in BWPL. James spends a lot of time coaching his home club Beckenham whilst currently undertaking an advisory role on improving grassroots water polo for Swim England.
Goodbye 2018 and hello 2019! This promises to be a great year for English water polo. We have a growing number of clubs and participation in the sport is continuing to increase. We have enjoyed hard earned success on the international stage at many levels including the boys under 19s qualifying for the LEN European Championships for the first time in over a decade and the senior women winning the International Invitational Tournament in Portugal just before Christmas.
It has been a month of national awards. First up came the British Swimming Awards and congratulations go to Stephanie Whittaker and Matt Madden for their British Swimming Water Polo Athlete of the year 2018 awards. Congratulations also to Nick Hume who was recognised as Coach of the year – hugely deserved. Nick will be a well known figure to many players and parents whose children have gone through the England Talent programme.