BECKENHAM SWIMMING CLUB
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Beckenham Swimming Club
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Based in South East London, the Beckenham Water Polo team provides competitive water polo for men, women and junior members. The men's team currently compete in the London League Premier Division, the London Winter League and the Kent/Sussex League. The club has also had countless members involved in the national water polo teams at different levels over the past 15 years. Most recently Sean King represented the GB Junior Team in the European Junior Championships in September in Istanbul, the first time the team has qualified for the main junior championships. He then won his first Senior GB team cap in October 2008.
Contact Us If you are interested in joining Beckenham Water Polo team please contact the relevant person below:
Beckenham Water Polo Training Times
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Water Polo Fixtures
Junior Water Polo: squad structure at Beckenham SC Beckenham SC's junior water polo section has gone from strength to strength. Nowhere has this been more apparent than at Dulwich College on last Sunday evening when the whole pool was a hive of activity as the mini and beginners squads went through their training and played their games. A couple of former club members who were there as parents bringing their children along for a taste of mini polo commented that they were amazed with what we were now doing. When one is caught up in the week-by-week effort of running the show it can be easy to forget about the bigger picture and so I have written this summary of how junior water polo is organised as a guide to current and potential new members.
1. Squad Structure • Mini polo is for young people who are typically 9 – 12 years old. They need to be quite good swimmers when they first join and the focus is on building the very basic skills of ball handling and the way that we tread water which is called eggbeater. Training is once a fortnight from 6 – 6.45pm at the Dulwich College pool. Entry to the squad is only allowed after an initial assessment (mainly of swimming ability) which is conducted by the squad coach. The squad do play a few competitive games against other clubs but the primary aim of this squad is to introduce young people to the sport in a way that combines enjoyment with skills building. Progression from the squad is mainly determined by ability and the next step is usually the Beginners’ squad. • Beginners’ squad is either the next step on the development path for mini polo players or the first step for slightly older children who are too big or too good to start in the mini polo squad. Entry to the squad follows from an initial assessment by the coach. Ability is the most important factor but size does also play a part. Squad members will typically be between 11 and 15 years old and the absolute maximum age is 17. There is weekly training at Dulwich from 6.30 – 8pm on non-mini polo nights and from 6.45 – 8pm on mini polo nights. The contact with the younger mini polo squad on the mini polo night is quite important as it serves to illustrate where players have come from and where they are going to. The Beginners’ squad continues to focus on building basic skills but it also adds the element of match play. There is a half hour game at the end of each training session and the club also enters a number of local competitions. The Beginners’ squad, like the mini polo squad, is for boys and girls alike because the convention is that water polo is played as a mixed sport up to the age of 16. In many clubs it is the boys who dominate but this is not the case for Beckenham as our squads are more or less half and half. • Invicta Water Polo Club. Any description of the development opportunities that Beckenham offers can only be complete when one also explains Beckenham’s relationship with the club called Invicta. Invicta is separate from, but strongly linked to, Beckenham Water Polo. It focuses on top level water polo and has a similar relationship with a number of other mostly Kent based clubs. At the senior age group it enters two men’s and one women’s teams in the national water polo league. It also runs training sessions and enters junior and youth teams in the national championships where it has been one of the most successful teams over recent years. The better players from Beckenham’s Beginners’ squad are recommended to join Invicta and gain additional training and playing opportunities with them. Invicta is the key to solving the critical mass problem that all clubs would otherwise face as it takes a lot of beginners to produce only a few top players and one needs quite a few top players to make a worthwhile training session/team. • Senior Water Polo. Beckenham also has squads of both men and women who train at West Wickham on Tuesday evenings and compete in local leagues. In addition to “the grown-ups”, these squads include the best of our junior players who reach the point where they are better served training with older players. The move from Beginners to seniors is decided upon by the senior coaches but with a strong element of recommendation from the Beginners’ coach.
2. Coaches The official coach for the mini polo squad is David Boyce (e mail: d.boyce803@btinternet.com) while Simon Woolley (e mail: simon.woolley1@ntlworld.com) coaches the Beginners. Both coaches are helped by a number of other people. These include members of Beckenham’s senior squads as well as some parents who have appropriate water polo and/or swimming backgrounds. The coaches are also supported by a number of the older juniors who have graduated from the Beginners’ squad. Coaching experience is a useful skill for these sixth formers to gain and they are all familiar with the coaching philosophy which is adopted by Beckenham SC.
3. Recognition & discipline: The Beginners’ squad in particular are of an age where it is important to have a clear framework related to recognition and discipline. There are two main strands to this. First, we apply a Coaches’ Expectations and a Code of Conduct which describe what is expected of members of the Beginners’ Squad. The Expectations and the Code of Conduct are attached. Both spell out the word WATER and together they spell out how the Squad will function. All Beginners’ Squad Members along with their parent/guardian must sign the Expectations and Code of Conduct to signal their understanding of them and as a commitment to implementing them. The second strand concerns recognition. There is a trophy which is awarded each year to the coach’s Beginners’ squad player of the year. The award is based on achievement, attendance and contribution to the squad. The trophy is engraved and is retained by the winner for the following year. Next, squad members are also eligible for Jack Petchey awards. This follows from Beckenham SC’s affiliation with the national charity The Jack Petchey Foundation which seeks to encourage youth endeavour. There is also the recognition of being selected to represent, for example, your county in the sport of water polo. Over the last ten years, Beckenham players who started in the Beginners’ squad have won selection for county, regional, English schools, junior international and full GB international level. The players concerned and the club take great pride in this and our hope is that through our continued efforts this track record can be sustained into the future.
Simon Woolley
Beckenham and Invicta Water Polo - How does it work? Beckenham SC competes regionally, e.g. London Water Polo League Invicta competes nationally, e.g. ASA Cup competitions and NWWPL Two separate clubs – work together to provide opportunity in competition and training. Invicta Water Polo Club was formed in 1992 to give players in Kent and the surrounding districts the chance to play Water Polo at District and National level without having to leave their home clubs. Although all the club's officers and players are drawn from other clubs, it is an independent club for the promotion of water polo at District and National level only. The club has a structured youth development policy and has thriving Youth and Junior teams. Many former Youth and Junior players are now established senior team players. For more information on Invicta Water Polo, click on the following link Invicta Water Polo
Beckenham Water Polo Online News
Sophie Monaghan Coombs who won 'most improved player' at Beckenham Polo for 09/10.
The Beckenham Ladies team played in the first round of the London league on Sunday against Worthing, Southampton and Hammersmith Penguin IV (yes, it really is called the London league!). The team lost all their games but each game was a well fought match with a close score. The Beckenham team was very young and had an average age of 18 years. Take away the 43 yr old Goalie, the average age was only 15yrs! This was noted by the opposition and comments were made on how much Beckenham had improved and that they are a team to watch in the future. This is a great comment, not only for the girls who played their hearts out, but for the Coaching team of Richard Collins and Anna Newell who have been working incredibly hard with the Ladies team over the last year. The girls played a really good press defence which made the Goalie’s job easier but the general consensus from players, the Coach and the great parent supporters, was that the team needs to gain confidence in attack. This is something to work on for the next 2 rounds. Remember next time girls, SHOOT, SHOOT,SHOOT! Congratulations to the senior and junior ladies teams, who both achieved second places respectively in the London League Winter tournaments this year. Each of the competitions was held at Whitgift School and proved to be a series of highly competitive games. The squads coped with the demands, in some cases players playing a total of 6 games per Sunday tournament. As the competition grows each year, the torunaments have proved a great development success across the age groups. Both teams next outings will be in the summer London League competitions imminently upon us.
Richard Collins (Ladies Coach) Anna Newell (Ladies Team Manager & Senior Captain).
Ladies Senior Results
Beckenham Ladies Water Polo Team - London League Winter Tournaments 2009/10
Ladies Junior Results (born 92 and younger)
Beckenham Ladies Junior Water Polo Team - London League Winter Tournaments 2009/10
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!
The London League Winter Championships for under 12 - Beckenham.
For a full copy of the results click here. London came 7th in the Youth Girls (born 1993 or later) Inter-Regional Water Polo Championships Division 2 at Walsall on 13th/14th February 2010. The performance and conduct of the members of the team was a credit to themselves, their clubs and Regional Training Centres (RTCs). The team members were: • Rosie Tayler (Beckenham/Invicta) GK) • Orla O'Connor Croydon/Beckenham/Invicta) (C) • Brooke Tafazolli (Sutton & Cheam) VC) • Sophie Monaghan-Coombes Beckenham/Invicta) • Nicole Barron (Sutton & Cheam) • Emily Grant (Beckenham/Invicta) • Jai-Ping Lee (Beckenham/Invicta) • Reanna Howells (Sutton & Cheam) • Lauren Spencer-Boyce (Beckenham/Invicta) • Eve Tidy (Sutton & Cheam) • Matilda Williams (Beckenham/Invicta) • Dora Roughan (Beckenham/Invicta)
To read the full report click here
Emily Grant Beginners’ squad player of the year 2009 and Coach Simon Woolley There is a trophy which is awarded each year to the coach’s Beginners’ squad player of the year. The award is based on achievement, attendance and contribution to the squad. The trophy is engraved and is retained by the winner for the following year.
INVICTA WATER POLO CLUB LADIES SQUAD NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 WEEKEND 5, MANCHESTER 30-31 JANUARY 2010
The final weekend of the 2009-2010 national league season again followed the format of previous years with all the four divisions playing together in a showpiece event at the Manchester Aquatic Centre. The journey north is the longest trip that the squad faces each year but it is always a highlight to have the opportunity to play at such an outstanding venue. The weekend format results in each team playing two matches and our fixtures would see us play on Saturday against Bristol, who had already won the divisional title, and on Sunday against mid table Cardiff After the encouraging performances at Barnet in the previous round of matches when we played without a number of our squad who were unable to travel because of the poor weather, we were pleased to be able to take full team to Manchester. Unfortunately Daisy was struggling to play having been diagnosed with glandular fever but she travelled hoping to play some part in the two matches. The full squad was as follows:
Bold is a Beckenham player The individual match reports are as follows: Saturday 30th January, 16.00 Invicta 5, Bristol 12. Quarter Scores: 2-3, 1-2, 0-4, 2-3. This was a really encouraging performance from the squad who for long periods, and particularly in the first half of the match, caused the Bristol team a number of problems. At the pre-match meeting we discussed at length the way that the team had tactically played so well at Barnet and how we would could use the same game plan against Bristol. Mia again worked really hard at centre forward but with the size and strength of the opposition defenders it was always going to be difficult to score from this position. As a result of this we wanted the players on the arc to keep driving into goal-scoring positions and this worked really well in the first half with Bristol conceding 7 exclusions as we kept putting them under pressure. The score at half-time indicated how well we had played and we were probably slightly unfortunate to be 3-5 behind at this point in the match. The third quarter saw Bristol take more control and we were beginning to find it hard to make the drives that had proved so successful in the first half. As a result the opposition were not giving away exclusions and we were struggling to create many chances from “open play.” In the final quarter we again started to take the game to Bristol and we were rewarded with two excellent goals from Jenny. Without some wayward finishing we would have scored on a number of other occasions but overall we were pleased with the manner of the performance against a well organised and talented opposition. Overall this was an encouraging performance but it again highlighted the areas that we need to improve to take the team forward. We struggle to score regularly in normal game situations and although we are now regularly creating the opportunities from “man-up” our conversion rate is still too low. Scorers: Jenny Willett 2, Aimee Dannan 1, Anna Newell 1, Sarah Hickey 1. Exclusions: Holly Campbell 3, Anna Newell 2, Hannah Chilton, Sarah Hickey 1, Emma Jenkins 1.
Sunday 31st January, 13.30 Invicta 4, Cardiff 9. Quarter Scores: 3-1, 1-2, 0-3, 0-3. In football reports you will often hear the expression “a game of two halves” but this match against Cardiff was a tale of one quarter and three quarters. We totally dominated the first period of the game with the opposition unable to create virtually any scoring opportunities and our girls looking dangerous on every attack. As in the previous match we encouraged the team to keep making drives from the arc and this tactic produced all of the three goals that we scored. Suddenly we looked a threat from man-up and scored on the first two occasions that saw Cardiff players excluded. Kelli also scored as a result of a quick break but we always looked likely to score and 3-1 at the end of the period didn’t really indicate the true level of our dominance. I’m not sure anyone knows quite where things went wrong as the game progressed. Credit must be given to Cardiff but we unfortunately were guilty of making things far too easy for the opposition with our inability to maintain possession a key problem. We started to make a number of simple mistakes and the team became increasingly frustrated that we couldn’t find the form that we had shown in the first period. Not scoring for over half the match was particularly disappointing but the squad kept trying to make things happen right up to the end of the game. This was a really frustrating result because all the squad and the coaching team knew that we could have won this match. I think that it is a lack of experience that in tight matches such as this is fundamentally what the squad lacks. We can only put that right by playing more matches because I am sure that this squad will improve over the course of time. Scorers: Jenny Willett 1, Kelli Bird 1, Mia Neve 1, Emma Jenkins 1. Exclusions: Anna Newell 2, Jenny Willett 1, Kelli Bird 1, Lily McLaughlin 1, Mia Neve 1.
Overall, this was a slightly disappointing weekend because we really felt that we would be in with a good chance of winning the Cardiff match particularly after the encouraging performance against Bristol. Throughout the season we have performed well at times and we should take a number of positives form many aspects of our play. The team is now much stronger and better organised defensively and we no longer look as vulnerable to quick counter-attacks. We have found an excellent young goal-keeper in Rosy who produced a number of outstanding displays and she will undoubtedly continue to improve. We have also been able to play a number of junior players in the team throughout the year and all of them will benefit from the experience. Finally, the squad has been led outstandingly by Anna assisted by Jenny and the attitude and camaraderie of all of the members has been absolutely exemplary. If all of them continue to show the enthusiasm and willingness to work hard then I am sure that results will begin to improve over the course of time.
Alastair Roberts (Coach) Richard Collins (Assistant Coach) Gregg Candy-Wallace (Team Manager)
On Sunday 24th of January Beckenham U12 Water Polo Team went to Watford to play. This team included Lucy, Cameron, Julius, Henry, Robert, Isaac, Ben, Jamie S-B, Laurie, Joshua and Freddie. Our first match was against Mid-Sussex. This match was a 6-1 victory. I got three, Robert got two and Jamie got one. The second match was against Sutton and Cheam and we also managed to win this 5-2. I got two, Henry got one, Robert got one and Ben got two. Our finale match was against Watford, the hosts. David, our manager, had said to us this was going to be a hard match, so go out and give it your all. That’s what we did. We successfully beat Watford 7-0. I got three, Cameron got two, Robert got two and Ben got one. We are officially top of the league and we should be very proud of ourselves for trying so hard. I would like to thank Ben and Robert for offering to go in goal, Jackie and Susie for helping on poolside and last, but not least, David our coach for entering Beckenham for the tournament and helping us to be so successful. Once again well done and good luck for the final round of the tournament in Ealing, which will be coming up in the next couple of weeks and after which we hope to be crowned Champions. By Freddie Pearson INVICTA WATER POLO CLUB LADIES NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 WEEKEND 4, BARNET 9-10 JANUARY 2010
After the slightly disappointing results at the previous national league weekend played at Walsall at the end of November, the Invicta Ladies squad were looking forward to the “local” tournament at Barnet. The weekend was scheduled for the Queen Elizabeth School pool but the plans were thrown into disarray because of the freezing weather conditions and heavy snow in the south-east in the days prior to the event. With teams travelling from all over the UK the tournament had to be in doubt and eventually it went ahead but without Cardiff and Walsall who decided that road conditions were too dangerous to risk. Invicta also faced significant travel problems, particularly for the squad members from outside the London region. After more snow on Saturday morning it was impossible for the three girls (Lily, Daisy and Emma) to travel from Hythe. We also faced having to play without Anna who was stuck on the wrong side of the channel having spent 60 hours trying to get home from a skiing holiday. As a result of all of this disruption we finally played with the following squad:
Bold is a Beckenham player The individual match reports are as follows:
Saturday 9th January, 12.30. Invicta 3, Sheffield B 7. Quarter Scores; - 1-1, 0-2, 1-2, 1-2. Sheffield are one of the strongest teams in the league and are well placed to take the divisional title and we had been well beaten by them at the first weekend at Hucknall. That game finished 0-13 but that score-line was not a fair reflection of the performance that our girls produced and we knew that we could be competitive in the return fixture. This was exactly how the game turned out and without the Sheffield keeper making a string of fine saves we would have been very close to what some people would have perceived as an upset.
Sheffield have a strong centre-forward and we discussed at the team meeting that we would need to play a well organised “drop” to minimise the opportunities for this particular player. The girls worked really hard at this tactic and were very successful and as a result the opposition became increasingly frustrated at their inability to score regularly. In attack we consistently created chances and Mia had an excellent game at centre forward but we unfortunately couldn’t beat the excellent opposition keeper on more than 3 occasions. Our biggest problem was our inability to score goals from the many man-up situations and we only converted 2 of the 9 opportunities. With a better conversion rate we would have had a real chance of winning this match. But we should be pleased at how well all the squad played and the opposition knew that we had given them a really tough match. Rosy had another fine game in goal, as already mentioned Mia worked really hard at centre forward and Sarah was very solid in defence. But all the squad contributed and we knew that we had played well even if the final result was not in our favour. Scorers; - Jenny Willett 1, Aimee Dannon 1, Mia Neve 1. Exclusions; - Hannah Chilton 2, Kelli Bird 1, Sarah Hickey 1, Mia Neve 1, Clare LeVoir 1.
Saturday 9th January 17.30. Invicta 6, Liverpool C 3. Quarter Scores; - 1-0, 2-2, 3-1, 0-0. This was a richly deserved win against a team who had beaten us in the previous encounter at Walsall. Once again we employed the “drop” defence and Sarah had a particularly good game at centre back. Jo gave us the lead in the first quarter with an excellent shot but we really should have converted more of the many chances that we were creating. In the second period we finally managed to convert 2 man-up opportunities with Jenny scoring on both occasions. The key period of the game was the third quarter and goals from Jo, Mia and Kelli gave us a 6-3 lead which ultimately proved enough to give us the victory that the performance deserved. During the third period Jo was harshly judged to have committed her third exclusion and this left us with 8 players. Aimee also suffered the same fate with nearly 4 minutes of the match to go but the remaining 7 players worked exceptionally hard to protect our lead. Having worked so hard to get into a winning position it was particularly pleasing to produce a clean sheet in the final quarter. All the squad defended strongly but Rosy once again produced a number of fine saves to preserve our lead and give us a victory that the manner of the performance richly deserved. This was a really encouraging win against a well organised and talented opposition and all of the squad worked really hard to produce a fine team performance. Scorers; - Jenny Willett 2, Jo Davies 2, Kelli Bird 1, Mia Neve 1. Exclusions;- Jo Davies 3, Aimee Dannan 3, Mia Neve 2, Kelli Bird 1, Hannah Chilton 1, Sarah Hickey 1.
After the Liverpool match we took decision to travel home as the weather conditions were deteriorating and the forecast was for further snow falls on Saturday night and Sunday morning. We took this decision in consultation with Caledonia who we were due to play on Sunday morning and they were keen to try and return to Scotland on an earlier flight. It is my personal opinion that the weekend should have been cancelled when the weather conditions and particularly the forecast for the weekend were so poor. With two teams deciding not to travel the program became totally disrupted and we were without players who were unable to travel from Kent. Overall these two matches indicated that the Invicta ladies are making progress and we produced two good performances. We richly deserved the win against Liverpool and we are looking forward to the final weekend at the Manchester Aquatic centre at the end of January.
Alastair Roberts. (Coach) Gregg Candy-Wallace. (Team Manager)
Well done everyone for the week before last's efforts at Whitgift. The Kent team were very competitive for such a young team! Its players undoubtedly will go on to better things I'm sure over the comming years.... Played four, won one, lost three. Unfortunately, I believe (but could well be corrected!) in narrowly losing the last deciding match against Sussex, Kent were pipped to second place by a goal! However, the combined effort put in was great - so a big well done ......
Beckenham players Emily Grant, Matilda Williams, Jia Mai Lee, Juliet Edey, Ajay Kapur and Ben Tinkler Davis all played for the Kent team in the u/14 team against Surrey and Sussex.
Kent Under 14’s Coach: Richard Collins
INVICTA WATER POLO CLUB LADIES NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 WEEKEND 3, WALSALL, 28-29 NOVEMBER 2009
The third weekend of this season’s national league program took the ladies squad back to the Walsall Gala Baths which had also been the venue of the previous tournament 4 weeks previously. Once again we were able to travel with a full squad of 13 players and it is very encouraging that the selection committee are able to choose from a number of players who are working hard to be part of the national league team. At this weekend we faced three matches against Cardiff, Otter B and Walsall and the players and coaching team knew that we should be capable of getting positive results against all three. Squad:
In bold are Beckenham players
These are the individual match reports: Saturday 28th November, 13.30. Invicta 1, Cardiff 3 Quarter Scores: 0-0, 1-0, 0-0, 0-3. As the score indicates, this was a close match throughout with both teams employing a press defence resulting in a small number of goal scoring opportunities. For the first three quarters of the match we kept a clean sheet and although chances were limited, Rosie did make a number of fine saves. This included an excellent penalty save during the third quarter by which time we were beginning to think that we might not concede at any stage. Our problem was our inability to create, and then take enough chances to put further pressure on the opposition and in the end this proved to be our undoing. Chances were at a premium but we did have a number of opportunities to score goals but we couldn’t capitalise on some good situations. Our man-up was particularly disappointing and even though Anna scored from one of the plays, we couldn’t convert any of the other 5 and we need to improve this aspect of our play if we are to secure wins in tight games. The final period saw a couple of defensive errors punished by Cardiff and we were unable to fashion enough chances to give us a possibility of taking something from this match. Ultimately, it was disappointing to play as well, especially defensively, and then lose out in the final period. But we need to create, and take, more chances if we are to capitalise on our defensive strength. On a positive note, this was the type of match that last season we would have lost by a far greater margin and indicates our improvement, but we still felt that we deserved to take at least a point from such a tight game. Scorer: Anna Newell Exclusions: Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Anna Newell 1, Kelli Bird 1, Hannah Chilton 1, Jenny Willett 1.
Saturday 28th November, 16.30 Invicta 3, Otter B 4. Quarter Scores: 0-0, 0-3, 2-0, 1-1.
After a very short break between games, we faced another highly competitive match against Otter B which we again thought would offer us an opportunity of a win. Once again, both teams employed a full press defence and as a result the match was very similar to the Cardiff game with chances at a premium. The match was ultimately decided in the second period when Otter scored three times including one goal from a very dubious penalty decision. Our girls deserve great credit for the way that they battled back from this and in the third period we scored good goals form Kelli and Jo which put us back in the game. We were unlucky to concede at the start of the final quarter but we soon got a goal back and we pressed hard for an equaliser but without any luck. Once again our defending was of a high standard but we are struggling to create enough chances to score more goals. But no one could fault the effort and the commitment of the squad who gave 100% and were pressing hard to try and equalise right up to the final whistle. This was the second very similar match that indicates that we are making progress which is highlighted by the strong defending, but we now need to develop an attacking game that will cause our opponents more problems and as result give us the chance of more victories. Scorers: Jo Davies 2, Kelli Bird 1. Exclusions: Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Anna Newell 1, Jo Davies 1.
Sunday 29th November, 13.30 Invicta 7, Walsall 13. Quarter Scores: 3-3, 1-5, 1-2, 2-3. A disappointing end to the weekend when the team again struggled seemingly to put together a decent performance on a Sunday. This may of course be a coincidence, but this fixture followed an all too familiar pattern with a below par performance that was nowhere near the standard of the two Saturday games. Walsall are an awkward team to play against and possess a very strong centre forward who consistently scores goals against all the teams in the division. Because of this we decided to make a change from our generally successful press defence to playing a zonal drop that would stop the service into the centre forward. This change was fairly successful even though a number of the girls were relatively unfamiliar with the tactic. The first quarter was evenly contested and the 3-3 score line at the end of the period was a fair reflection of the play. Unfortunately, during the remainder of the match we made far too many unforced errors and our passing was particularly poor. We conceded several goals as a result of giving the ball away in dangerous areas and our play was well below the standard that we had set 24 hours earlier. We did manage to create a number of chances but our finishing was also below par and we missed a number of shots on goal that we really should have converted. We did keep going to the end and in the final period we did score two good goals from Jo and Hannah. Scorers: Jenny Willett 2, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Kelli Bird 1, Hannah Chilton 1, Jo Davies 1, Mia Neve 1. Exclusions: Jenny Willett 2, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Kelli Bird 1, Sarah Hickey 1, Mia Neve 1.
It was very hard on the squad not to take something from this weekend but we should remember that this is fundamentally a new team that has limited experience of national league competition. We can look at a number of positives and our defending in the two Saturday matches was of a high standard and we don’t look likely to leak many goals. Last season we were always vulnerable to quick counter-attacking teams but we now look much better organised in all situations. We need to work hard on the attacking phase both from open play and also man-up which we continue to struggle with. The next tournament takes place in January and we will work hard in the time up to this event to try and improve on all aspects of our play. Finally, all the squad should be commended for their conduct both in and out of the pool and we should give a special mention to Jacqui Walker who made her final appearances for Invicta before returning to New Zealand later this week.
Alastair Roberts. (Coach) Richard Collins. (Assistant Coach) Gregg Candy-Wallace. (Team Manager)
The under 16 team started their winter league season on Sunday 8th November 2009 with a journey to Watford where a new all-deep pool provides an excellent venue for water polo. The team finished second on the night with victories over Enfield and Basildon and defeat at the hands of a really strong Watford team. We’ll be back at Watford for a second round of games on Sunday 13th December 2009.
Beckenham under 12 team played in their first London league tournament at Whitgift School on Sunday 1st November 2009. After a long wait until our first game, we played Sutton and Cheam expecting a hard match. It was a great game and even better as we won 2:1. This gave us confidence for the second game against Croydon after just one game rest. Again we played great polo and managed another win with a better goal difference, 3:1. Our final match of the day was against Hythe who had already won their 3 games of the day. Unfortunately this hadn’t worn them out and they managed their 4th win of the day, beating us 3:1. This was a huge disappointment but they were a very good team and we still played well. We had a very young team who have had very little experience playing as a team. There are still 3 more tournaments over the winter months and so we are looking forward to watching the team grow and improve. Bring on the Goals!!!! David and Jackie Mini polo Coaches
Team were: Ben; Joshua; Freddie; Robert; Henry; James; Harry; Cameron; Lucy; Sasha; Katie; Laurie; and Julius. The results from the 1st Under 12s London League Winter Championship WP tournament are attached: Under 12s 1st November 2009.
Hythe had a successful day with 4 wins and lead the league table The twelve games were enjoyed by a crowd of over 100 spectators. The next under 12s tournament is on 13th December 2009. After the promising performances of the first weekend at Hucknall, the ladies squad travelled to the Walsall Gala baths for the next round of fixtures in this year’s national league. With all the registration issues now sorted, we were able to select from a full squad of players. Jenny would only be available for the later games in the weekend after travelling back from New York and because of this we decided to take a squad of 14 as follows: 1. Rosie Tayler (G/K) 2. Kelli Bird 3. Daisy Weir-Somerville 4. Anna Newell (Captain) 5. Lily McLaughlin 6. Hannah Chilton 7. Jo Davies 8. Sarah Hickey 9. Emma Jenkins 10. Amy Stringer 11. Jenny Willett (Against Liverpool C) 12. Mia Neve 13. Clare Levoir 14. Eimear O’Connor (Against Bristol & Caledonia)
In Bold are Beckenham players. The individual match reports are as follows: Match 1, Saturday 12.30 Invicta 5, Caledonia 5. Quarter Scores: 1-1, 1-2, 1-1, 2-1This was a hugely entertaining and exciting match and we thoroughly deserved to take a hard earned point after such strong performance. The quarter scores indicate how close the match was with both teams never able to dominate proceedings. Our defending was of a high standard and Caledonia were also unable to take advantage of all the limited number of chances that they created with Rosie making a number of good saves. The match featured a final minute that was full of drama. We led 5-4 with exactly 60 seconds remaining when Caledonia called a time-out. With 40 seconds left Daisy was very unlucky to be excluded and the opposition immediately called their second time out. When the game re-commenced Caledonia scored from a well worked man-up with 25 seconds remaining. With the game tied at 5-5 we took our first time-out at the re-start and incredibly a Caledonia player was excluded for impeding Anna before she was able to make the pass at the re-start. As a result we called our final time-out with 23 seconds remaining but unfortunately we were unable to take the opportunity when we shot over the bar with 3 seconds on the clock. Overall this was a valuable point gained against a team that hade beaten us comfortably on both occasions last season and this is a good indication that we are making good progress. Scorers: Jo Davies 2, Anna Newell 1, Kelli Bird 1, Clare Levoir 1. Exclusions: Daisy Weir-Somerville 2, Jo Davies 2, Anna Newell 1, Sarah Hickey 1.
Match 2, Saturday 15.30 Invicta 4, Bristol 10. Quarter Scores: 2-2, 0-4, 1-3, 1-1. Bristol is a much improved team and features a number of new talented players this season and as a result are one of the favourites for the divisional title. We knew that this would be a tough game against a team that features a number of highly experienced and physically bigger and stronger girls. We actually made an excellent start and Kelli opened the scoring with a well taken goal. The 2-2 score line at the end of the period did not flatter us and we had played some excellent water polo looking dangerous in attack and defending strongly. During the 2nd and 3rd quarters we struggled to deal with the Bristol attacking play and we had particular problems with both of the centre forwards who alternated in the role. The girls kept going right to the end and we played well in the final period scoring an excellent goal from Jo. Overall, another encouraging performance against a team who will undoubtedly be in with a chance of promotion at the end of the season. Scorers: Kelli Bird 2, Anna Newell 1, Jo Davis 1. Exclusions: Rosie Tayler 2, Daisy Weir-Somerville 2, Anna Newell 2, Hannah Chilton 2, Sarah Hickey 1, Eimear O’Connor 1, Mia Neve 1.
Match 3, Sunday 10.30 Invicta 9, Liverpool C 10. Quarter Scores: 2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 2-2. This was a match that was ultimately hugely frustrating because we worked incredibly hard to get to a position where we should have at least have secured a draw. We made a slow start and at one point during the second quarter we were 6-3 down but the squad showed a great deal of resilience and eventually we levelled at 6-6 during the 3rd period. Unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on this but we still fought back to only a one goal deficit when Mia scored an excellent goal with just under 3 minutes remaining. We had opportunities to equalise late on but we didn’t take our chances and we were left to reflect on what might have been. Although we were disappointed not to take something from the game we should remember that we lost both fixtures to the same opposition last season by margins in excess of 10 goals. Once again all the squad worked really hard and their attitude and effort could not be faulted. Scorers: Jo Davies 3, Mia Neve 2, Hannah Chilton 2, Anna Newell 1, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1. Exclusions: Anna Newell 2, Sarah Hickey 2, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Kelli Bird 1, Emma Jenkins 1, Mia Neve 1.
This was another encouraging weekend for the girl’s squad who are now beginning to show significant improvement as a result of the new training program at Crystal Palace. The third division of the women’s national league is much more competitive affair this year and we feel that we should be able to compete well against all the teams that we play. We may well have taken something from the Liverpool match if we had more experience but this will develop as the squad plays more matches of this type. What we don’t lack is commitment and a positive attitude and all the squad are keen to learn and become better players and part of a team that will continue to improve. We return to Walsall at the end of November for the next national league weekend when we hope to continue making progress.
Alastair Roberts (Coach) Gregg Candy-Wallace (Team Manager)
Download or view word version of this report here
From the Daily telegraph By James Cracknell Rowing gold medallist James Cracknell continues his quest to try other Olympic sports – but fails to make a splash with water polo. It was an assault on my senses so strong that I suffered a childhood regression. The brightly lit leisure centre at a ridiculously early hour; the smell of chlorine and the sensation of diving into cold water. I almost turned around. Admittedly, the Manchester Aquatic Centre is more welcoming than Woking Leisure Centre in 1981, but the urge to wet my trunks in the shower, hide in the changing room and trick my mother into believing I had gone training, was there. I never had a problem ploughing up and down a rowing course in the cold and dark, but I’ve always struggled in a pool. But what greater incentive than to take part in our most successful Olympic sport of all time – water polo. Britain is second in the sport’s medal table with four golds although, admittedly, we cleaned up between 1900-1920 and haven’t sent a team since the 1956 Games. As host nation, Team GB automatically qualifies for 2012, but the men’s and women’s teams have to meet the standard set by the British Olympic Association – a place in Europe’s top 12. GB water polo first received centralised funding in 2006, but a 75 per cent cut in its budget has meant the loss of the performance director, head and part-time coaches and support staff. With enough money to support only one team, British water polo had to prioritise one squad. They chose the one with the best chance – the women. Our women have no real history to lean on, but they’re impressive. The cut in funds has meant that the hopefuls had to work, and squad members often missed training as a consequence. Some are luckier than others: students and those who work for British swimming or the Aquatics centre have more flexibility. But Josie Morris, the goalie, is a teacher and was to miss the next session for a class outing. ‘‘We understand the shortfall,’’ she said, ‘‘we just wanted a full Olympic cycle to show what we can do.’’ I believed my chances of controlling a ball while swimming were surely higher than while running. I’d tried the latter and a rare disease stops my nerve endings at the ankles, impeding signals from the brain, rendering close control impossible. It appears the disease has spread to my wrists. Water polo requires you to swim front crawl, flat out, with your head up, to have some idea of where everyone else is, while controlling and protecting the ball with shorter more powerful strokes. Unfortunately, while the girls looked like seals at Sea World, I resembled a Labrador who’s swum out too far to fetch a stick. At least I had an ace up my sleeve. I can throw and girls… well, we all know… But it seems being able to throw while sinking is more difficult. Players aren’t allowed to touch the bottom during the game, made slightly easier by the minimum pool depth of two metres. When not swimming, you tread water using a technique called egg-beating. Unlike the treading water that comes naturally (both legs kicking simultaneously like a vertical breaststroke) egg-beating involves kicking one at a time; when throwing the ball you kick your legs faster and faster, propelling the top half of your body out of the water, allowing free movement of the arm. I was soon convinced I had negative buoyancy. There are six outfield, or ‘outpool’, players and a goalie on each team, but thankfully we used just half the pool. I could see the appeal. Water polo is to swimming what football is to running. And this would get people fit quickly. Halfway through my debut that appeal was dwindling. I’d been impressed with my catching and throwing, but the recipients of my passes didn’t seem quite as pleased. I’d managed to perfect the plop pass, where I got the ball to drop about a foot in front of my team-mate’s face, splashing water and losing the momentum needed. To start with, I didn’t encounter much brutality, but, halfway through, the coach must have given my opposite the green light to get physical. Suddenly I was being climbed on, dunked and kicked, none of which seemed to bring a foul. Still, it was the most fun I’d had in a swimming pool since I managed to break the ‘No Petting’ rule as a teenager. It would be brilliant if the women could secure their place for London, but they have no nutritionist, physiologist or full-time conditioning coach. What they have developed is a siege mentality. They’ll need it in a few weeks when they play Russia. One of their opponents is 119kg. Imagine Martin Johnson or Matthew Pinsent in a swimming costume. Danny Casey has been nominated as the Kent County ASA Water Polo Player of the Year in recognition of his excellent performances throughout the year. Congratulations and well done to Danny. INVICTA WATER POLO CLUB LADIES NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 WEEKEND 1, HUCKNALL, 3-4 OCTOBER 2009
After winning the play-off match at the end of last season to preserve our place in Division 3, the club has seen a significant change in personnel as well as the restructuring of the club with the move to Crystal Palace. With several of last seasons senior players leaving it has given us an opportunity to introduce a number of new girls to the squad and we travelled to Hucknall with 6 national league debutantes in a squad of 12. We were unable to play Sarah Hickey at this weekend because of the unnecessarily bureaucratic and archaic registration process required by the NWWPL, but she travelled with the squad and she will be available for the remaining weekends. Squad in full:
N.B. Bold is a Beckenham player
Match 1 (Saturday). Invicta 8, Walsall 5 Quarter Scores; - 1-1, 2-1, 4-2, 1-1 This was an exciting match that we thoroughly deserved to win. With Anna marshalling the defence at centre-back we alternated Hannah and Jacqui in the centre-forward role. Both girls worked extremely hard to occupy this pivotal position and although they didn’t carry a huge amount of goal threat, they were rewarded with several opposition exclusions. Defensively the team worked hard to maintain a full press that for long periods limited the opposition to a small number of chances. As a result we gained possession on several occasions because of the opposition being unable to create any scoring opportunities before the shot clocks ran down. Overall, this was an excellent win against a team that was relegated from Division 2 at the end of last season and indicates that the Invicta squad now has the potential to progress quickly in this division. Scorers; - Kelli Bird 2, Hannah Chilton 1, Jacqui Walker 1, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Mia Neve 1, Amy Stringer 1, Anna Newell 1. Exclusions; - Kelli Bird 2, Mia Neve 2, Hannah Chilton 1, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1
Match 2 (Saturday). Invicta 4, Otter B 6 Quarter Scores; - 1-1, 1-2, 0-2, 2-1 Another exciting match where the girls gave 100% and were a little unlucky not to at least be rewarded with a draw. We used basically the same tactics that had worked so well in the match against Walsall and the full press was again particularly effective in limiting the opposition to a small number of chances. Otter were also well drilled in defence and we struggled to create a huge number of chances from open play. We did work hard and as a result the opposition conceded a number of exclusions but we were unable to convert these opportunities. The match was probably decided by the “set plays” with our poor conversion on man up being matched by a number of “soft” goals being conceded on man down. These problems will be easily rectified as the squad trains and develops over the coming weeks. Overall a highly competitive display that indicates that the team will develop quickly as the season continues. Scorers; - Kelli Bird 1, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Mia Neve 1, Anna Newell 1. Exclusions; - Hannah Chilton 2, Kelli Bird 1, Daisy Weir-Somerville 1, Emma Jenkins 1, Mia Neve 1, Amy Stringer 1, Anna Newell 1.
Match 3 (Sunday). Invicta 0, Sheffield B 12 Quarter Scores; - 0-5, 0-3, 0-2, 0-3 Having played so well in the two matches on the previous day we knew that we would have to produce another good performance against a physical, experienced and well-drilled opposition. We spoke at length at the pre-match meet about the need to continue the progress we had made in the two matches the previous day but we knew that the Sheffield team would be of a higher standard. Although the final score was disappointing it really does not reflect the effort that the girls put in and it was particularly cruel that we did not manage to convert any of the many chances that we created. What was impressive was the attitude that kept the team going to the end and this forced Sheffield to commit 9 exclusion fouls. We failed to take advantage and even missed a penalty but we can still take a number of positives from this defeat. Once again, all the squad gave 100% and the youngsters were never fazed by the physicality of the match. Scorers: - None Exclusions: - Emma Jenkins 2, Hannah Chilton 1, Mia Neve 1, Amy Stringer 1, Anna Newell 1.
In conclusion, this was an encouraging weekend and the win against Walsall was well deserved and we showed enough in the other two matches to indicate that we are moving in the right direction. We have a number of players who did not play at Hucknall who will be available for the remaining weekends and they will undoubtedly strengthen the squad. Finally, I am always reticent to praise any individual player because this is very much a team sport where every squad member will contribute. In this instance though, mention should be made of Rosie Tayler who made an outstanding debut in national league water polo in goal. In all of the three matches she produced a string of fine saves which were matched by the quality of her game awareness and she should be congratulated for the remarkable high standard and consistency of her play.
Alastair Roberts (Coach) Richard Collins (Assistant coach) Gregg Candy-Wallace (Team manager) Jenny Willett (Chaperone)
At the recent AGM, Sean King was made a Beckenham Swimming Club Honorary Life Member in recognition of his achievements with Great Britain water polo. The London League campaign got underway slowly at Whitgift School on 19 April. Beckenham, with pretty much their full strength team with university attendees back for Easter holidays struggled against Croydon with a 10-10 draw. Rob Spurr scoring the vital equalising man-up with 15 seconds remaining (Scorers: Mark Cheetham 2, Paul Cheetham 2, Greg Jackson 2, Rob Spurr 2, Will Liddie 1, Sean King 1). Sloppy decisions in the 2nd game against Penguin contributed to a 13-10 loss (Scorers: Mark Cheetham 2, Nick Jackson 2, Greg Jackson 2, Will Liddie 1, Paul Cheeetham 1,Pat Baker 1, Rob Spurr 1). Two weeks later on a Monday at Avondale, Beckenham lost 15-8 (Scorers: Matt Spurr 4, Nick Jackson 1, Ben Carter 1, Pat Baker 1, Chris Wright 1).
The Jack Petchey Foundation Award Scheme
In July 2007, Beckenham Swimming Club was accepted as a beneficiary of the Jack Petchey Foundation Award Scheme. Click here for the Beckenham SC Jack Petchy award web page.
Links to other Water Polo websites
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Beckenham SC Water Polo Documents
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Beckenham Water Polo supports the GB teams and the Olympic Creed
GB Water Polo has seen its Olympic budget cut to £1.45m by UK Sport. The board of British Swimming have decided to give priority to the women’s squad but the aim of British Swimming remains to have both teams in London 2012. The current funding is still insufficient to prepare one team let alone two... “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
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