Blog – West London Penguin

Gill’s still making a splash

20 March 202320 March 2023
Masters Swimming, Penguin members

Gill sitting in an armchair, wearing swimming costume, swim hat and goggles

Such an inspiration, our masters swimmer Gill has been featured in the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust ‘s Fit for Life series…

Like to get in shape but worried you are too old or out of puff to start? Here is our fifth Fit for Life interview with a Londoner who shares their life-long love of exercise.

Gill Turner enjoys hanging out with the Penguins three times week. The west London swimming club has been a home from home for the 80-year-old for more than half a century and she emerges from the pool ‘tired but happy’ after the hour-long sessions.

“I swim in the ‘slow’ lane and we usually complete anywhere between 60-80 lengths depending on how much energy we have. I’ve made some nice friends over the years and enjoy the social side of the club.”

It seems age is just a number to the octogenarian who “likes a challenge” in the shape of long-distance walking, trail marathons and taking the somewhat murky plunge into open water swimming with two of her friends, the self-styled Wet Suit Wonders.

“I like to think of these things as an experience and it was certainly that trying to get in and out of my wet suit for the first time. I haven’t made my mind up about open water swimming yet although the greatest danger we faced was a couple of angry ducks who didn’t like sharing the lake with us.”

Gill has also completed several long distance walks including the 192-mile Coast to Coast, the West Highlands Way and the mountainous Tramuntana Trail in Mallorca.

Her sports mad dad instilled a love of exercise in her but she says it is important to find an activity that you enjoy.

“It’s what I would call a healthy habit and is part of my routine along with several long walks a week. I don’t pay much attention to my age. You shouldn’t use it as an excuse not to do things.”

The article is published on the NHS website here: https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk/news/gills-still-making-a-splash-8076

It also featured in local press:

Ealing Times: https://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/23358723.swimmer-gill-still-making-splash-80-penguins/

Hillingdon Times: https://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/23358723.swimmer-gill-still-making-splash-80-penguins/

Ealing Today: http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=congillturner001.htm

Hillingdon Penguin end of year celebration and awards

8 January 202311 January 2023
Water Polo

It’s been a busy few months at the Hillingdon junior branch of Penguin and before the festive break, all the coaches, members, volunteers, supporters and parents got together to celebrate Christmas and present a number of awards.

The awards recognise players who are new and improved and the evening also gave the opportunity to say thank you to some of those whose work behind the scenes is vital to the running of the section.

Shaun presented awards to the older players that he coaches:
Most Improved Player – Aryan
Best Newcomer – Lucas
Coach’s Player – Will
Girls’ Award Cup – Vicky
Under-15s Shield – Dominic

Water polo coach and a child wearing a medal — Lucas received the Best Newcomer medal from coach Shaun

Water polo coach and a child holding a trophy — Will with the Coach’s Award trophy presented by coach Shaun

In the Under-14s group, coached by Mickey, awards were presented to:
Coach’s Player – Lily
Most Valuable Player – Anton

In the Under-12s group, coached by Adam, awards were presented to:
Best Newcomer – Evan
Most Improved Player – Avi
Jack Petchey Foundation Outstanding Achievement Award – Charlotte

Water polo coach and a young player holding a certificate — Charlotte with her Jack Petchey Award presented by coach Adam

The event also gave players and parents the chance to say a huge thank you to Sue Seagroatt for her tireless work behind the scenes over the past eight years, managing and helping to drive the section forward. Sue is taking a well earned rest and everyone connected with Hillingdon Penguin will miss her greatly. Thank you, Sue.

Four people, one holding a card and a bouquet of flowers — Sue with thank you gifts presented by the Hillingdon Penguin coaches Mickey, Shaun and Adam

We also have amazing parents and a big thank you for all your time and energy that make it possible for your children to train and compete.

A huge thank you to Gisela for organising the Christmas party and to everyone who has supported the team in various roles over the past few months. We couldn’t do it without you and all the other coaches, volunteers, supporters and parents.

Cake decorated with fondant penguins and icing writing saying Happy Christmas Hillingdon Water Polo Penguins — Seasons greetings

We are grateful to the Jack Petchey Foundation for their continuing support and in allowing us to make these awards which are an excellent way of encouraging the players to progress and improve.

Find out more about our water polo sessions for children at Hillingdon Penguin and Latymer Penguin.

RIP John Martin-Dye, 1940-2022

31 December 20224 January 2023
History, Penguin members, Water Polo

We are sad to say goodbye to John Martin-Dye who died today.

John joined Penguin in 1948 when he was eight, and he grew to be a top swimmer and water polo player who stayed with the Club throughout his life, although also played for Watford in later years.

As a swimmer John was a double Olympian. As a water polo player he represented Great Britain internationally and was part of the Penguin team that won the British Championships in 1965.

Water polo team — 1950s Penguin Water Polo Second Team probably mid to late 50s
Left to right
Back row: Ken Rogers, **John Martin-Dye**, Ted (Curly) Gerald, Terry Bushell.
Front row: Terry Fray, Lewis Bloomfield, Bobby Wollaston.
With the London Water Polo League Referees Cup, the Middlesex County Water Polo League shield and an unknown trophy.

John’s son, Graham, says, ‘John was an amazing father! His ethic in life was inspirational. He always worked hard to achieve anything, and never gave up. He lived life and travelled the world. He was always there for me and supported me in anything I wanted to do. He gave so much of this time back to sport and the community.’

Read more about John in the blog post written by Graham, last year.

Our thoughts are with John’s wife Delia, Graham and all the family.

RIP John.

John and Graham Martin-Dye in their dress suits at a Penguin Dinner — John with his son Graham at a Penguin Dinner.

Hillingdon Penguin U12s get underway in the LWPL Winter Championships

9 December 2022
Water Polo

Hillingdon Penguin Under-12s travelled to Whitgift School last week for the opening round of the London Water Polo League Winter Championships.

With a number of new faces in the squad, everyone put in a huge effort across their five matches.

Children with their water polo coach in a pre-match team building chat — Hillingdon Penguin U12s: Eira, Charlotte, Charlie, Tuline, Amira, Zach, Julia, Aronas and Eleanor, with coach Shaun Hill.

The day began with two defeats for the Hillingdon Penguin team as they came up first against their club teammates Latymer Penguin, and second against Worthing, although the scoreline didn’t reflect how close these games were.

Then it was Lewisham and despite holding the lead going into the closing minutes, it was the south London side who scored two late goals to win the match 3-2.

Beckenham were the next opponents. In a hard-fought game it was Hillingdon Penguin who ran out 3-2 winners with a battling display.

The final game saw a defeat by Croydon, but the Hillingdon Penguin squad went away with their heads held high knowing the final results didn’t reflect their efforts and a great team performance.

Thank you to all the coaches, players, volunteers and parents who made the tournament possible.

Find out more about our water polo sessions for children at Hillingdon Penguin and Latymer Penguin.

Under-12s Development Tournament

22 October 202222 October 2022
Water Polo

The new look under-12 team from our junior water polo section in Hillingdon got their first taste of tournament play on Sunday 9 October at Whitgift School in Croydon.

Water polo players on the poolside wearing their tournament medals

Our squad was one of three teams to take part in a development tournament organised by London Swimming with the aim of giving young players experience and practice as a team.

Water polo players at the end of the polo listening to instructions from their coach on the poolside

With a number of new faces in the squad, it was a great opportunity to get to know each other a bit more and build team spirit and ahead of the London League Winter Championships starting in December.

water polo player smiling in anticipation of their first ever water polo match

The squad played several games against Croydon and Lewisham. They grew in confidence as the tournament went on, quickly learning about match play and gaining lots of experience from the afternoon.

The players were: Anaiya, Avi, Charlie, Charlotte, Eira Grant, Eleanor, Tuline, Zachariah.

water polo player holding a small trophy with their coach by their side — Congratulations to Tuline who was named as Hillingdon Penguin’s MVP by the team’s coach Adam Maidment.

Thank you to Coach Adam for his patience and hard work developing these players, to Mike and Lynsey for looking after the team and to all the parents for their support.

We are grateful as always to London Swimming for providing this brilliant opportunity, Chris Martin for organising the tournament and Ultan Brennan for being a very welcoming and efficient event organiser on the day.