Welcome to our August edition of Water Polo News - July 31, 2018

August is typically a quieter month when our players take some well-earned time out to relax before the BWPL starts again in September.  Some of us even managed to find the time to attend the LEN European Championships in Barcelona and were treated to some world class polo in the sunshine, and some less than world class mascot dancing, see the video clip below!

With the endless summer heatwave on its way back in the UK perhaps it’s time to take polo out of the pool into the great outdoors like they do in mainland Europe? Below is a picture of a water polo pitch in the sea off Dubrovnik, Croatia. Do send in your holiday pictures showing water polo abroad as we would love to feature them in future editions of the News.

Back home, the annual Manchester Water Polo Festival took place at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on 7 July.  An impressive 27 teams took part in the event, which gets bigger and better every year.  There were two competitions, one for age group 14 and under and the other for 12 and under.  The Under 14 competition was won by Sheffield after a thrilling penalty shootout against Devonport A.  Bolton came third.  In the under 12 competition, Cheltenham took gold, Bolton A silver and Rotherham bronze.  Another fantastic day of water polo!  Thanks to City of Manchester Water Polo Club for organising the event.

Enfield Water Polo Club has continued its  tradition of foreign outreach by undertaking a summer tour to Barcelona.  The team played an exhibition match against a local Spanish teas and watched the finals of the European Water Polo Championships which were being held in the city at the same time.  On 27th July, Enfield played a friendly against Club Water Polo Garraf, who are based in Sant Pere di Ribes, in the southern part of Barcelona, near Sitges.  Enfield won the match 17-9 with super-veteran Club President, and member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Roy Naisbitt netting twice. Roy, 88, is pictured in the team photo below holding the ball. An inspiration to us all!

Enfield Water Polo on tour

Great to see a feature article on Watford Water Polo Club in the July issue of MyGarston News. The club is going from strength to strength and we hope the publicity brings in more players and interest in the sport.

Many of our readers will know Tim & Sarah Dunsbee who have been involved in the promotion of water polo for many years and inspired many youngsters in the sport.  Their other passion is to promote awareness of Autism after Hayley, one of their daughters, moved into a residential home at the age of 24.  In August 2015 the Dunsbee family swam across the English Channel for Autism and they will repeat the feat between 9^th and 17^th August to raise funds for Autism East Midlands.  Tim and Sarah will be joined by Cara Saunders, Jack Overton, Anna Lord and Piers Martin as they swim in one of the busiest shipping channels amongst ferries, boats and tankers for the 21-mile distance against tides and in the cold water of the English Channel, without wet suits.  They would appreciate your support by donating to this worthwhile cause on their JustGiving page > http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/sarah-dunsbee

Swimming for Autism, a great cause. Good luck guys!

Boldmere Water Polo Club are hosting the WASA Water Polo Invitational event at Wyndley Leisure Centre, Sutton Coldfield on 1^st September.  Entry is free and the Club will be taking on other local teams.  Looks like a good evening of sport.  Please follow the twitter account @BoldmereWPC for further details.

Super excited for the MANUP! Water Polo inaugural event ‘Water Polo at The Quays’   which promises to deliver a gripping, non-stop, water polo spectacle in a fantastic venue.  The event takes place on Saturday 4 August at Dock 9, Salford Quays, Manchester.

The event will run from 12 -5 pm and feature side-by-side matches using compact pitches for faster games, rapid action, thrills and flair!   The organisers  are challenging Men’s and Women’s teams from the North West region to get out of their comfort zones, get down to Dock 9 and MANUP! for what will be a unique summer water polo experience!

MANUP! Water Polo

Great to see that Brockwell Swimmers are running water polo sessions, which are open to all levels of players, from complete beginners to seasoned shooters. They are a Mixed-Gender outdoor club playing at Brockwell Lido, Dulwich.  All sessions are coached by professional and national-league players.  They play non-league games against other London and UK clubs.   Sessions are open to competent swimmers who are comfortable treading water at the deep end of the pool.  Go on give it a go!

Brockwell swimmers enjoying Water Polo

The water polo community is deeply saddened by the unexpected death of John Vincent.   John was a keen supporter of Solihull Water Polo Club giving up his time to table official for the club’s local league games at Tudor Grange. In addition to this John sponsored the club through his family business Vincent Timber, supplying much needed equipment.   Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

And finally, though it has been hot in England, spare a thought for Rosie Huck training in Tempe, Arizona where temperatures this month have sored to 43°c!

Phew, that really is a scorcher!

Well that’s it for this month. If you have any news about your club that you would like to share please do let me know by emailing me at ah@waterpoloengland.org.

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