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Hillingdon Penguin December Fun Tournament, Christmas Party and Awards for 2021

27 February 202227 February 2022
Water Polo

The Hillingdon Penguin Fun Tournament and Christmas Party in Uxbridge on Saturday 11 December 2021 was very special. Due to Covid we hadn’t had a party for two years and this meant we’d also missed the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our players. It also wound up a successful year and a particularly busy term in which we’d gone from no tournaments to full on competing again.

A big thank you to the coaches

This branch of the Club continues to flourish, many thanks to the dynamic coaching team of Shaun, Adam, Mickey and Will, with occasional refereeing guest appearances from Michael. Each coach has a particular group of players and area of pool space, but they also collaborate to ensure the development of every child.

Fun Tournament

We were delighted to have the irrepressible Anton Restall come and help score, especially as Adam had worked out a complex system of bonus points, to encourage fair play and inclusion of the younger players. Congratulations to the winners, Purple Team, comprising Will M (captain), Bailey, Elena, Zayd, Ibrahim, Aronas, Oliver D and Aaryan. Here they are, proudly holding the Penguin Development Trophy. 

 

Christmas Party

Team Baldwin saved the day by organising the party in a room beside the athletics track, chosen for its extra size and ventilation, but also more challenging to find. We are truly grateful to Ruth, Chris, Zoe and Thomas for all their hard work and to all our parents who brought an amazing spread ranging from noodles and pastries, to cakes and fruit. Sophie made an enormous and very tasty carrot cake which she somehow managed to bring on the bus.

Awards January 2020 to December 2021

We then went on to present awards which spanned the last two years. As always, it had been difficult to pick individual winners as the teams have performed so well and we’ve seen many players improve and exceed expectations.

Development Group – Under 12s

These recipients were chosen and presented by Adam Maidment who coaches them:

 

Coach’s Player Cup: Zain Garnie

 

Most Improved: Charlie Symons

 

Most Valuable Player: Jacob Lillie

 

Best Newcomer: Charlotte Hartwell

 

Intermediate Group – U14s

Winners nominated and presented by their coach Mickey Tritto:

 

Coach’s Player Cup: Samuel Scarlett (awarded the next day at the U14s LWPL tournament)

 

Best Newcomer: Zahra Shah

 

Sporting Performance Award: Matthew O’Neill Cuadros

 

Most Valuable Player: Thomas Baldwin

 

Advanced Group – U16s & Above

Winners chosen and presented by Shaun Hill who coaches the Advanced Group including the under 16 mixed team, under 16 girls team and under 18 boys team:

Jack Petchey Award – November 2021: Sophie Wilkinson (see separate report).

 

Coach’s Player: Charlie Richardson (awarded at the U18s LWPL tournament)

 

U15s Shield ‘Sporting Performance of the Year’: Bailey Sapsed

 

Most Improved: Sam Wood

 

Best Female Newcomer: Yolanda Ginman and Best Male Newcomer: Ibrahim Khan

 

Dedicated service/most humble player: Luis Aranda (presented to his brother Alvaro in Luis’s absence)

 

There were special mentions to Bailey, Hadi, Ibrahim, Riaz, Sam and Sophie who played for Middx U16s in Inter Counties, and Bailey and Hadi who played for London U16s in the Inter Regional Championships, and Lize, Orlaith and Sophie who played for London Girls U16s in Inter regionals and were joined by Robyn to play for Middlesex U16s in Inter Counties where they won silver.

 

Girls Award Cup: Lize Crone

 

Thank you to all parents for your support.

Mickey made a powerful impromptu speech about how hard Shaun has worked coaching this term and also thanked him for seeing and encouraging his own potential when he was sixteen. We are also hugely indebted to Adrian for all his poolside support, Anton for scoring, Youguang for the photographs and last but not least Kerry should be recognised for all the support she gives in the background.

It’s great to be able to celebrate all the achievements of the Hillingdon Penguin family.

Hillingdon Penguin runs alongside our Latymer water polo section for juniors. Find out more about playing junior water polo with us.

My Penguin Story: Bobby and Alan Wollaston

19 February 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, Water Polo

My dad, Bobby, joined Penguin in the 1950s as a junior. He started his aquatic career with Amateur SC who were based at the Prince of Wales swimming baths in Kentish Town. Dad soon became a regular with Penguin and his swimming background helped him become a workhorse of the team.

Dad was a loyal person and continued his association with Amateur for many years taking part in their annual relay race with the Northern Lights club which was then based at Hornsey Road baths. This annual race was in the Guinness book of records as the oldest annual swimming event in the world.

At a time when Penguin regularly put out four teams in the local water polo leagues, Dad progressed through the ranks to the first team.

 

Photo of all Penguin SC members and trophies
Penguin SC probably mid to late 50s,
Back row L-R: Frank Blissett, Bernard Castle, Ted (Curly) Gerald, John Martin-Dye, Dave Stanborough, Peter Richardson, Norman Massey, Terry Bushell, Bill Wait, Les Baldwin, Ron Turner.
Third row L-R: Derek Roberts, Tony Littlechild, Mac McDonald, Bryan (Swaz) Randall, Les (Pickles) Pickering, Brian Crompton, Ken Rogers,Terry Fray, Lewis Bloomfield, Peter Harmon, Nobby Neivens.
Second row L-R: Bill Shepherd, Horace (Horry) Connelly, Dave Littlechild, Harry Fray, Spud Murphy, George Pepper, Joe (Smiler) Barrett, Pop Neivens, Dick Lawrence, Bill Usher.
Front row L-R: ??, Ken Power, Pat (Buddha) Randall, ??, Bobby Wollaston, Jack Dengell, John Wilkinson, ??, ??.

 

In 1961 Dad married my Mum, Cathy, with Penguin teammate Lew Bloomfield as his best man. Then two years later I arrived.

 

Bobby shaking hands with is best man Lew
Bobby with Lew Bloomfield as his Best Man

 

Most people of a certain age can remember where they were when England won the World Cup. In 1966 I was on my very first Penguin tour to Malta at the age of three where I was in safe hands with Shakey helping out on toddler watch!

 

Family on the beach
With my parents on a water polo tour in Malta

 

Man with child on his shoulders
Shakey with me on his shoulders

 

Dad continued to play first team polo and my early memories were as a toddler either sitting in the footbaths of Lime Grove, Nine Elms and places like Ironmonger Row whilst Dad was playing, or swimming behind the goal at the shallow end dodging the wayward shots.

Training sessions usually ended with me being kept quiet with a Coke and a bag of crisps while Dad and his fellow Penguins frequented the famous Shepherds Bush Cricket Club on the way home. Years later Dad would recount how Les Pickles once gave him a lift home from the Cricket Club after a lengthier than usual night. When Dad told Les to go straight ahead at the next roundabout, Les asked, “Which roundabout?”. Dad’s reply: “The one you are on!”. Members such as Les Pickles, Jack Dengel, Ron Turner and Bill Usher were always there in the background helping the Club run smoothly.

Dad would talk about the epic games against Cheltenham or the games in the bleak outdoor pool in Birkenhead, and how local rivalries were cemented against Sutton & Cheam.

Penguin has always been a great family with great relationships with many pool managers. Uxbridge Open Air Pool used to be a regular venue on a Sunday afternoon; once the public left our Penguin players and their other halves would help tidy up, then use the facility until it got dark. This approach was repeated with Pete Kerslake at Clissold Road and Dave Webzell at Potters Bar, allowing us to benefit from a whole host of extra training time.

 

Photo of water polo team with their trophies
Penguin SC water polo Second Team probably mid to late 50s, with the London Water Polo League Referees Cup, the Middlesex County Water Polo League shield and an unknown trophy.
Back row L-R: Ken Rogers, John Martin-Dye, Ted (Curly) Gerald, Terry Bushell.
Front row L-R: Terry Fray, Lewis Bloomfield, Bobby Wollaston.

 

Following in Dad’s footsteps I started my aquatics career as a swimmer and, with my sister Jayne and brother Alan also swimming, as a family we spent most of our early lives travelling between pools. Even with the three of us children training seven days a week, Dad still continued to not only play in the local water polo leagues but he also became a grade one referee travelling the country.

Having spent my younger years swimming and diving, I decided to take up water polo at around the age of 14. Dad then got even more involved. He started running the Penguin junior team from which many became regulars in the Penguin first team – Paul and Dave Bryan, Ian Spooner, Peter Falcini and Mark Harmon to name but a few.

Being a lefty put me in good stead for my career. I started in the fourth team playing alongside Dad and a number of other Penguin legends, including Ron Turner and John Lake. I look back on fondly on these memories and the experience I gained was invaluable.

I progressed through the Penguin teams as well as representing Middlesex and the Southern Counties at all age groups and playing for both the England and the GB junior side.

Dad continued his involvement with the Club, stepping in to coach the first team as a when needed as well as serving for many years on the Middlesex Water Polo Committee.

Perhaps one of Dad’s proudest moments was when, as President at a Penguin Dinner, he took wine with the Jayne, Alan and I as we had all represented GB internationally in water polo and synchronised swimming. In fact between the three of us we had national medals in swimming, water-polo, synchro and diving.

 

Alan and Bobby at a Penguin Dinner
Me with Dad at a Penguin Dinner

 

There is obviously something in the Wollaston genes which ties us to the water as even now Alan continues to play water polo and Jayne and I coach swimming and synchro respectively.

Dad’s passion for the sport certainly was passed on. I have a whole host of fantastic memories and many that can’t be written down in full – what goes on tour stays on tour – involving trips to Malta, Naples, Belgium, Liverpool, Germany, Holland and Denmark with the likes of Ian Spooner, Robbie Arnold, Graham Forbes, Paul Whatley, Paul Howard, Gary Simonds, Robbie Arnold, Martin Blenkinsop, Paul Whatley Steve Baker, Ian Grimwood, Miguel Ortiz and of course Shakey. I even had my stag do as part of the St Niclaas Water Polo Tournament!

Being part of Penguin is more than being a Club member. In the latter stages of Mum and Dad’s illnesses the support that Paul and Jayne and I received from the Penguins was humbling, borne out by the numbers of Penguins past and present who came to both their funerals.

I am still playing and enjoy doing so. The other week I turned out for Enfield against Penguin and managed to get on the score sheet a few times in a convincing win – Grimbo will vouch for this! It is so good to still be able to catch up with many my former Penguin team mates from over the years when I see them at different games and tournaments.

Penguin is a rare and unique Club; it was Dad’s passion and something that he always held close to his heart. He was the proudest Dad ever while he watching Paul, Jayne and I compete. For me he was, and always will be, my hero who is sorely missed by many but never forgotten.

Alan Wollaston
Manibus Pedibusque

 

This post is part of our Penguin100 series of stories from Penguins past and present, sharing what being a member of the Club means to them as we celebrate our Centenary.

My Penguin Story: Karen Brown

23 January 202223 January 2022
Masters Swimming, Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members

 

My journey with the Penguins began when I was looking for a good swimming club to represent at Masters swimming.

As a young girl I was brought up in Australia where I swam at all sorts of venues, from swimming pools to the sea and rivers. I also did competitive swimming there for many years for a club in Adelaide, South Australia called The Reynella ASC (now South Coast Swimming Club).

When I came to this country I wanted to continue swimming so I did some training, first on my own, and then as my fitness grew I started looking for a club. This was before the internet was widespread but I managed to get a list of masters swimming clubs in London. I phoned the number for the (then) Hammersmith Penguin Swimming Club, a Mr Ian Williams answered and the rest is history!

Ian Williams was friendly on the phone and very encouraging so I popped along with my then husband Graham to the Janet Adegoke swimming pool in West London to have a swim with other members. The people there were warm and welcoming and soon I fell in love with the Club.

I count the late Ian Williams and his daughter Tara, Louis Lemieux, the late Ron Turner, and Sarah and Johnny Wren as my mentors, some of whom went to the first gala that I participated in at Barnet Copthall pool in June 2000 where I won gold and silver medals. The way they cheered me on in my event was awesome. Another person I met for the first time was the late John ‘Shakey’ Lake. He inspired me also.

I toured the country representing West London Penguin in many events between 2000 and 2014.

 

Karen Brown and other swimmers in the pool ready to start a backstroke race
Karen, in the red Penguin swim cap.

 

I swam in all kinds of meets from the Southern Counties long and short course, Middlesex Masters, Isle of Wight Masters, British Masters long course championships and the Open short course championships, gaining a number of medals.

I had some successes at national level, all in the backstroke, winning gold in the Ladies 55-59 years 200m backstroke at the ASA National Masters Championships in 2011.

In September 2021 I saw the Barnet Copthall Sprint Meet listed on the Swim England website. After careful consideration I entered three events. My age group is now 65 to 69 years, but nothing could prepare me for the shock of how slow my times were: I swam 100m backstroke in 2:19:65, 50m backstroke in 1:06:45, and 50m freestyle in 29.51. So slow! But, bearing in mind I haven’t competed for 10 years or swum in a pool for more than five years until April 2021 when Boris Johnson said we could use the leisure centres again, perhaps the times weren’t so bad.

I met all the masters swimmers that I used to know and had a good day, and I came away with a gold, silver and bronze, so I’m still a medal-winning Penguin!

 

This post is part of our Penguin100 series of stories from Penguins past and present, sharing what being a member of the Club means to them as we celebrate our centenary.

My Penguin Story: Fiona Greer

23 January 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, Water Polo

My journey with Penguin has been a rollercoaster spread over 25 years, through the highs of international competition to the lows of injuries and a lot of surgery. The constant through it all has been my amazing teammates and coaches, the biggest of these was John Lake (Shakey). Even at 80 years old he continued to inspire and motivate me, he helped prepare me for big competitions and was always there to support and pick me up when things were tough. His loss has been greatly felt not only by me personally but through the whole Club.

 

Fiona Greer holding the Rob Derbyshire Trophy
Being presented the Rob Derbyshire Trophy by President John Lake (Shakey) in 2017

 

My water polo journey started after reading about the GB team on a British Airways flight. I was not from a swimming background; as a teenager I’d been a middle distance/cross country runner at Scottish national level but after spending time training in America I was suffering ongoing injuries. When starting at university in London in 1994 I was looking for a new challenge and went along to the freshers fair at UCLH where I met Karine Hales and signed up for the University water polo team.

Karine was so enthusiastic and welcomed me, even as a non-swimmer, with open arms. I had no idea what was involved and I emerged from my first session half-drowned and beaten up. For most first timers the initial session either makes or breaks you, and I was instantly hooked. The training was tough and perhaps it suited my ‘feisty Celtic blood’. Plus the team spirit was infectious.

After two years playing university water polo (and learning to swim!) I joined Penguin in 1996. At that team the time was in the second division of the national league. Training and matches were a step up, but I loved the challenge, and in truth I probably became a bit obsessed. Playing alongside Manda Hackett, Karine Hales, Charlie Parkinson, Pamela Campbell, Lis Holmes, Katie Collins and Sally Woolhouse – to name but a few – I made lifelong friends.

By early 2000 we were playing first division and challenging the top teams in the UK. We qualified for the European Cup and had a second team in the third division. I took over the captaincy from Karine and captained the Penguin women for around 15 years on and off. Looking back these really were golden years: Penguin was flying high.

I started training with the Scotland squad and was proud to captain Scotland from 2000 until 2006, competing with the team in the Commonwealth tournament in Perth, Australia in 2006. This was an amazing experience shared with fellow Penguins Karine and Jerome Reed from England and others from South African, and Singapore. We played and won the World Masters in 2004 in San Marino, Italy, what a great trip for polo the and off pitch celebrations!

After 2006 I continued to play domestic water polo with Penguin inbetween having kids and surgery. Then I returned to the international arena to play in the 2014 Commonwealth competition in Aberdeen, opposite another Penguin, Lis Holmes who was playing for Wales.

 

Fiona Greer in the pool holding a water polo ball
2014 Commonwealth competition, Aberdeen, Scotland

 

The noughties were a haze of training camps and international and domestic competitions. Looking back now water polo kept me out of trouble!

The Penguin team was motivated and keen, we were very social, and we pushed and inspired each other in the pool as we fought for team selection. We toured in the summer in Europe, often with the men’s team, enjoyed team nights out and attended the Penguin dinner dances. These really were great times, with some great polo and lots of outrageous ‘what goes on tour…’ fun outside the water!

 

Fiona Greer and the womens water polo team holding Shakey aloft
Penguin women’s water polo team with Shakey at the Club Dinner in 2016

 

To be President of a club like Penguin is such an honour, I am so grateful for the part the Club has played in my life. I feel lucky to still be able to play, especially after some major surgeries, although I must admit it’s certainly harder as I get older, and those three-game national league weekends are that bit harder to recover from, even though I am partly bionic.

I can’t imagine ever losing the will to get in the water with my teammates or the drive to fight to get the ball and stuff it in the back of the net; there really is no better feeling.

Thankfully, I have a supporting family. My water polo training and match schedules have often impacted on family holidays and events, but my family have been my best supporters, and they are excited to see the current Penguin team doing well.

Penguin has been through a lot in the last 100 years, and it is still going strong through two world wars, the great depression, recessions, lack of pool investment and most recently COVID-19. Other clubs have not been so fortunate, and the pandemic has sadly led to the demise of many swimming and water polo clubs.

Fortunately, I see Penguin gaining a new momentum, and again I feel excited and re-energised. In the senior water polo sections the coaching team and players are working hard and there is a hunger to get back to the heyday of high level competition. We all feel it and I’m excited to be part of it. Both the women’s and men’s teams fought hard in the first half of this national league season to reach the playoffs, and are now aiming for promotion.

It is great to be playing again, we all really missed the training, galas and national league competitions during the lockdowns over last two years. Despite the disruption, before Christmas and into the new year, Rachel Bull led the Emperors to a three game victory in the first weekend of the Championship 2 in Walsall, putting our statement of intent at the top of the table.

I’ve played with Rachel since she joined as a team junior at 15 years old, a position that was taken this year by Maddie Roberts who has scored an amazing 13 goals for Penguin so far this season. As an older more experienced player myself, it’s great to watch young players like Rachel grow in the Club and then become experienced role models for the next generation of players such as Maddie. And I have loved playing with them all.

The men will be captained by Albie Duffy as they restart their promotion campaign at Haberdashers on the 29th January, we are willing them on all the way.

The Penguin junior teams have also been playing amazingly, with recent success at the National Age Group Championships and national squad inclusions.

It feels like the momentum is with us. A really big thank you to all the coaches who give up their time and energy to the Club, we really couldn’t do it without you.

The masters swimmers are thriving, with record membership numbers and a great social side. While not big on pool-base competitions at present, the lure of open water events is stronger. A number have entered the annual Herne Bay Pier to Pier https://activelifeltd.co.uk/pier-to-pier-swim/swim, and it would be great to see lots of Penguins entering from all sections of the Club as part of our Penguin 100 celebrations.

I have met so many amazing people over the last 25 years, it feels like we share a special bond and memories that inspire lifelong friendships. So many of them are now spread across the world with their families or pursuing new adventures, but I regularly stalk them on Facebook. There are too many to name so I’m sorry if I didn’t mention you personally.

Equally there are just too many stories to reminisce, but that’s probably a good thing!

I really hope the Centenary Dinner in April allows us to meet up again and celebrate the great times and lasting friendships made through the Club. I certainly feel in need of a shindig with my Penguin besties.

 

This post is part of our Penguin 100 series of stories from Penguins past and present, recording what being a member of the Club means to them as we celebrate our centenary.

Hillingdon Penguin seize every opportunity to compete

14 January 2022
Water Polo

Having no access to pools in 2020 was tough and we really missed the competitive side of water polo. There’s so much about the game that you can only learn from competing and thankfully 2021 allowed us to go back into the water and shine.

In this post Sue Seagroatt, manager of our junior water polo section based at Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Centre (SLC), shares a round up of the competitive opportunities that our players from Hillingdon Penguin were able to enjoy in autumn 2021.

London Water Polo League
It was a relief when the LWPL resumed and it was a privilege to host the first U14 and U16 Junior tournaments at Hillingdon SLC. None of this would have been possible without Chris Martin and Paul Bryan and the many hours they spend organising tournaments.

 

Water ;polo players pointing to a ball
U14 team
Water polo players standing on the poolside
U16 team

 

Swim England Development Tournament
Our newest Hillingdon Penguin players were fortunate to have the chance to compete in a Swim England development tournament where they gained vital knowledge of the game.

 

Water polo players
U14 Development Tournament

 

Inter County Championships
As you can read in a previous post some of our players were able to compete in the Inter County Championships, both mixed and girls in November. The mixed team narrowly missed out on a bronze medal. The girls played valiantly to take 2nd place.

Bailey and Hadi were selected to compete in Walsall for the London team playing in Division 1 at the U16 Boys Inter regionals on 27 and 28 November 2021. This was an amazing opportunity to experience water polo competition at this level.

 

Water polo players
U16 Middlesex Mixed team

 

U16 Boys Inter Regional Championships
The restart of competition meant a call up for regional selection in September. Four Hillingdon boys, Avi Juneja, Bailey Sapsed, Sam Wood, and Riaz Garnie, were successful and have since been training with London Regional Academy for 2007s.

 

  • Water polo team
    U16 London team
  • Two water polo players Hadi and Bailey
    Hadi and Bailey

Bailey said, ‘I found it a really worthwhile and an exciting experience. I learnt a lot. I felt privileged to be there.’

Under 16 Girls Inter Regional Championships
A huge well done to the four Hillingdon Penguin girls who were selected for training at the inter regional academy: Thalia Ross, Lize Crone, Órlaith Graham and Sophie Wilkinson.

Lize, Órlaith and Sophie were selected to compete for London in the U16s Girls Inter Regionals on 4 and 5 December in Walsall, playing in Division 2.

 

Three water polo players with their coach
Lize, Órlaith and Sophie with coach Shaun Hill

 

The girls had a really great tournament. The first day was the tougher of the two, when London lost their first game against West Midlands 7-17 and their second game against South West Sharks was a narrow loss (7-8) after conceding a goal in the final second of play to the eventual winners of Division 2.

The team came out fighting on the second day with two emphatic wins, against East Midlands 10:4 and Wales 22-2. They should be really proud of themselves.

Overall, the team came third in Division 2 and Sophie was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament for London.
 

Sophie holding her Most Valuable Player trophy
Sophie awarded Most Valuable Player

 

Órlaith said, ‘It was an amazing experience and a lot of fun. It really helped us come together as a team as this was the first time we’d played matches together. We became stronger with every game we played. It was interesting to watch the Division 1 games as it helped me see and take on board the differences in how they played. The entire experience has helped me develop my view of the game and how I play and how I can improve. I’m very grateful that I was chosen to represent London and am thankful to have had an amazing team and coaches to take me there.’

Lize said, ‘I enjoyed the competition a lot as I got the chance to play different positions (in goal and outfield) and the opportunity to bond more with the other girls on the team. I also learnt a lot about tactics and strategy.’

Thank you for the coaching
All these Hillingdon Penguin players are very grateful to Shaun who puts so much energy into coaching them every week and went to support them at coaching sessions and tournaments in Croydon and in Walsall. They would also like to thank Aram Eidipour, Marcus and Tim Kendall for the Academy coaching.

What coming for 2022?
We are thrilled that Riaz Garnie and Sam Wood have been invited to trials for the National Academy in January 2022. We wish them all the best.

We are looking forward to the first outings for our U12 and U18 teams in the LWPL. And good luck to the U14 and U16 teams as they go into their second tournaments.

Hillingdon Penguin U16 girls will also be competing in LWPL in March, another exciting first for the Hillingdon section of the Club as we’ve never entered a girls’ team before.

Hillingdon Penguin runs alongside our Latymer water polo section for juniors. Find out more about playing junior water polo with us.

 

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