Penguin 100 Centenary – West London Penguin

Penguins rule the waves

30 August 202230 August 2022
Masters Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Penguin 100 Centenary

On Sunday 17 July 2022 a posse of Penguin masters swimmers returned to Herne Bay for the annual Active Life Pier to Pier swim, this year joined by some of our water polo girls.

In contrast to the grey skies and cold wind that dominated the swim last summer, it was cloudless sunshine all the way this time.

We had swimmers in all three distances – 750m, 1,5k and 3k – and we rounded things off with fish and chips on the beach afterwards. (And we may have snuck in some ice creams too!)

What a fab day!

Herne Bay Pier to Pier swim

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Results

750m

Sarah Wren – 16.07 – Super Vet – overall 4th – category 1st – gender 1st

Johnny Wren – 16.38 – Super Vet – overall 7th – category 3rd – gender 4th

Katie Collins – 16.52 Vet – overall 9th – category 1st – gender 4th

1.5k

David Fallon – 29.17 – Super Vet – overall 5th – category 2nd – gender 3rd

Emma Shaw – 29.19 – Senior – overall 6th – category 3rd – gender 3rd

David Bassett – 35.27 – Vintage- overall 22nd – category 5th – gender 15th

Suzie Carter – 36.14 – Vet – overall 23 – category 2nd – gender 8th

Ed Tricklebank – 44.09 – Vet – overall 38th – category 7th – gender 6th

3km

Jesse Kelly – 43.39 – Super Vet – overall 2nd – category 1st – gender 2nd

Fran Lou – 50.44 – Vet – overall 18th – category 2nd – gender 6th

Ashley Henley – 1.11.54 – Vet – overall 74th – category 11th – gender 32nd

Find out more about the Active Life Pier to Pier swim.

Reunion at the BWLP Anniversary

30 August 202230 August 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary, PenguINspiration, Water Polo

9 July 2022.

The sun was shining on Parliament Hill Lido for the British Water Polo League’s anniversary celebrations, and what a fantastic setting to bring together over 400 masters players, their families and friends from some of the League’s founding clubs.

The event, which marked 60 years of the men’s national league water polo and 35 years of the women’s competition, saw over-40s teammates and old rivals playing in games across the day.

Men on the poolside

For the Penguin men (we didn’t have women’s team participating) it was a truly memorable reunion, bringing back all the camaraderie and banter from when they were playing together regularly. And it was lovely to see so many supporters there from across the Club. There was a real sense of the Penguin family.

As an added bonus we won the men’s tournament!

The day included two showpiece matches from the current GB men’s squad – featuring our own James Salt – versus the GB 2012 Olympic team, and the current GB girls.

Water polo player in the pool — James Salt

Thank you to all the BWPL organisers, including Penguin Steve Baker, who did such a great job in planning and running the day.

Penguin players reunited at the BWPL Anniversary celebration

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With thanks to Trevor Hyde/BWPL for a number of the photos.

If you’d like to get your hands on some of the Penguin 100 kit so beautifully modelled by our masters players, take a look here.

PS: Jerome up to his old tricks

Man photobombing photo of water polo team on the poolside.

The Hillingdon Penguin girls: our story

4 June 202230 August 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, Water Polo

This Penguin100 Story is by Lize Crone, a player with our Hillingdon junior water polo section.

The journey

I first started playing water polo in 2017, when my parents introduced me to the sport as a way to get active after my swimming lessons had ended. I had always loved swimming and could be found in the water on any family holiday. So with the encouragement of my family I decided to attend a trial session at the Hillingdon juniors’ section of West London Penguin, and fell in love immediately. Though my speed, ball skills and strength left a lot to be desired, I immediately felt a passion for the game that I had never felt for any other sport. I returned home on a high and could hardly wait for the next session.

Part of the reason I felt so at home was because of the way us girls formed connections with each other. As there was only a small number of us compared to the vast amount of boys who sometimes overshadowed us, we instantly banded together and made sure to always lift each other up and support one another. The tight group we formed often helped me be more confident and secure.

As more girls joined and we welcomed them into the fold, secretly I hoped our number would one day grow to be enough for a competing squad.

One of the most important developments for girls at Hillingdon Penguin came at the end of 2019, when we received funding to start a once a week training just for girls, to improve our strength, fitness and skills. This helped us all to gain confidence in ourselves and our ability. Unfortunately, COVID halted much of the exciting growth we were making as girls. When we were finally allowed to return to the pool for regular training, girls’ training was unable to return with it until the end of 2021.

However, over the years our group of girls had grown, and we had the numbers to form a squad, albeit a rather bare-bones one. As captain of the team, I am extremely proud to say we were able to bring together enough players together to play at two U16 girls’ tournaments in the London Water Polo League (LWPL). It was an incredible experience to be able to play together for the very first time. While we have definite areas for improvement, we all agree that we performed amazingly and to our utmost extent.

water polo team — Sophie, Yolanda, Thalia, Robyn, Zahra, Órlaith, Vicky, Hannah and I with coach Shaun after our very first U16 London Water Polo League tournament together

Water polo game — Some of the action from our London Water Polo League game against Croydon, with Thalia on the ball

Yolanda says, ‘Having my first tournament be a girls’ tournament has been an amazing experience, because I know that getting a girls’ team together was such a long process I am extremely happy to help towards creating this awesome squad.’

team talk on the poolside — Team talk just before the last game of our second tournament ever

Development for girls

In the last year or two, the way I play water polo has changed from being just a hobby, to being an ambition too. I first realised I could take water polo further when I was offered the opportunity to trial for the London Regional Academy in September 2021, along with fellow Hillingdon Penguin girls Sophie, Thalia and Órlaith. This helped us to improve our fitness, ball-handling skills and tactical knowledge, as well as providing us an extra night a week to simply enjoy the sport. Our fellow Hillingdon Penguin girl Zahra has also joined the Academy this May, and we are very excited to see the progress she will make.

Sophie, Órlaith and I went on to represent the region at the 2021 U16 Inter-Regionals in Walsall and the 2022 U18 Inter-Regionals in Blackpool, which were very exciting opportunities to play with and against some of the best players of our age.

three water polo girls with their coach — Sophie, Órlaith and I at U16 Inter-Regionals in Walsall with coach Shaun, who came to visit

In November of 2021, some of us also had the opportunity to play together with the Penguins from Latymer at the annual South-East Inter-County Championships for U16 girls, from which we came away with silver medals.

Hillingdon Penguin girls Sophie, Robyn, Órlaith and I with girls from the Latymer Penguins, wearing our silver Inter-County medals.

Sophie says, ‘I think it’s awesome that we can go and compete together as we help each other grow as a team. As someone who has competed at a higher level with the London regional team, being part of development at my own club is really nice as I can help newcomers and younger girls with the knowledge I have picked up but also develop my own skills such as communication and leadership. In general it is great to be involved in a whole team of girls eager to participate in (and get better at) such a physically demanding sport. I hope we can recruit more girls to expand our little water polo family into a big one.’

Personally, I think it is amazing that as a regional player I have the opportunity to pioneer a pathway of development which will hopefully allow many girls like myself to improve their skills and achieve their water polo dreams.

It is clear to see that not only my development, but the development of all the girls at Hillingdon Penguin is down to the amazing nurturing environment that is created by Sue and the coaches and the opportunities that they offer, so a big thank you to all of them. We all know we would be nowhere without their support.

Young and old

Looking back at my initial months of water polo, seeing older girls at training was really important in allowing me to be confident in my identity as a girl playing water polo. Now that I am one of the older girls, I feel inspired to look after and nurture younger and newer players. It is an incredible joy to witness the passion for our wonderful sport grow in younger girls.

On the occasions that I have been asked to coach at our girls’ session because Shaun, our usual coach, wasn’t available, I have found it an absolute privilege and it has increased my love for the sport even more than I thought possible.

Coach Shaun says, ‘I’m very grateful to have such a wonderful group of athletes at Hillingdon Penguin. It makes coaching so rewarding, I look forward to seeing how far we can take these players. They have so much potential and talent considering we only train once a week. It’s been a privilege seeing them grow through my program. I’m so proud of all my players.’

Water polo players — The girls who train together on a Tuesday evening

Elizabeth (one of the U12s) says, ‘My time at the girls water polo trainings are great, I love training with the older girls to learn new things, and girls my age too. I always look forward to it.’

Robyn says, ‘Joining a male dominated sport was always a daunting task but due to the support and kindness of others it quickly became a very enjoyable weekly activity. Personally I think it is such a great way of joining in with a fun sport. The skills developed can help with future life skills and improve our understanding of teamwork. There are many ways you can take part and take up roles to help younger girls enjoy the sport as much as I do now. Joining a girls team was an exciting change and a challenge to take part in. The training is great for younger girls as the older ones can help pass their knowledge onto the next generation of players.’

Once more, I’d like to extend a thank you from all the girls at Hillingdon Penguin to all the coaches and others behind the scenes who support us to be the best players we can be. We would be nowhere without you!

Find out more about playing junior water polo with us.

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

Toast to the Club

18 April 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary

In this post, Mark Bullerwell, our Club Captain shares the toast that he intended to present at the Centenary Dinner on Saturday 2 April 2022. Due to circumstances on the night, Mark was not able to deliver the toast as planned. But we feel it is too important not to share…

Well, here we all are. Finally!!

Over 18 months of planning, 220 tickets sold in just under 48 hours, a Club record I believe, a few last minute Covid casualties, but we did it.

It has been a huge honour for me to put this event on for you all tonight and the Club trusting me to do it, whilst being 3,500 miles away.

100 years old, well technically 101 years, is a huge achievement. From 1921 we co existed but then finally merging with the ladies club in 1976, and West London Penguin would be very different today if that hadn’t happened for sure.

The last time I had the privilege to stand up and speak to this many Penguins in the same venue was my very good friend and fellow Penguin team mate, Wayne Davis’s wedding in Italy – mmm, Bullers has a microphone again.
What’s he going to say now?

This Club has given me so much joy over the years and I have my other good friend (I only have two) and fellow school mate, Tom Perry to thank for that. Going all the way back to 1989, picking me up from my father’s home in Bedford and driving me down the A1 for my first Penguin training session where I met Steve Baker, Miguel Ortiz, Paul Whatley, Alan Wollaston, Ian Spooner and Jerome Read, just to name a few.

So many stories to tell and re-tell, which I am sure we will be sharing later on over a few drinks.

One of my proudest moments, apart from tonight of course was 2007-08 when I was appointed Club Captain and was the first time in the Club’s history that we had both the men’s and women’s first teams playing in the British Championships at the Manchester Aquatic Centre. Sadly we did not win the golds, but we certainly won the after party. Morgen-Rae Graham challenging anybody and everybody to a dance off was one of the many highlights for sure.

The last few years have been a tough time, not just for the Club, but for all of us in so so many ways.

But the way in which Penguin has stayed resilient and bounced back stronger is testament to all of us in this room and others that could not be present. The stewardship from Sarah Wren, the handover of the Presidency from Louis to Fiona, Grimbo and his Covid protocols for returning to swim, the Masters swimmers headed up by Johnny and last but not least the water polo teams led by Claudio, Albie and Rachel, the fact that we are celebrating a Club and its centenary at all, is just phenomenal.

The current vibe in the Club as we close one chapter and start the next is the highest I think its been for a very long time. Thriving junior sections with international representation thanks to the hard work from Claudio. The Masters swimmers who often get forgotten about and we have a huge amount of them here this evening are just going from strength to strength and have supported tonight’s event massively for which I personally thank all of you for.

Then we have the senior mens and womens water polo teams. Claudio guiding the men, aided by Grimbo and Martin Waller and the ladies, coached by Rumen, who boldly stepped into the huge shoes left behind by our Shakey. Both reaching promotion this season, which again in our centenary year was just the cherry on top in my opinion.

Now as well as losing our beloved Shakey, which left a huge hole in this great Club, we have sadly lost some other Club members that due to the global pandemic, probably went under the radar.

Ken Rogers, affectionately known to his mates as tumble turn Ken. He was Club Captain in 1960 and also a life member.

Derek Roberts, Club Captain in 1972, Club President from 1993 to 1996 and a life member.

And lastly our goal keeper for many second team matches and a small half a bitter in the cricket club bar afterwards, Nilo Falcini. He was Club Captain in 1984, Club Treasurer for a number of years and a life member.

All three were Penguin to the core and will be remembered fondly.

I think as a Club such as ours, it is important to stay true to our values and remember our history but in the same breath we must evolve and move with the times. The menu cards on the tables were put together with this in mind and I very much hope that this was achieved.

Now before I sign off, I have a couple of messages to read out. I did receive a lot of video messages and emails from many Penguins around the world which truly just show the size and also the love this Club gets from so many. It is not possible to read all of these out or show the video messages on the screens. But hopefully what I am about to read out will leave you feeling the same love for this Club that I have.

On the occasion of the Penguin Swimming and Water Polo Club 100 year celebration, from Bryan and Sheila Randall, Melbourne, Australia.

Sheila and l were hoping to be with you on this memorable occasion to celebrate the Club’s 100-year anniversary. Unfortunately due to the pandemic we are not able, but are with you in spirit.

We send our congratulations and best wishes to this great Club and all its members and associates. We raise our glasses to take wine, wishing that the future will be as successful as the past.

The happy times l personally recall during my time with Penguin will remain for ever. A local W6 lad, born and bred in Hammersmith, my family have been associated with Hammersmith Ladies and Penguin since pre-World War Two.

My sister Olive was a champion swimmer with Hammersmith Ladies and my wife was a member there in the 1950s.

My brother Pat (Buda) was also a Penguin in the 1950s and 1960s. He was also a journalist with the West London Gazette and had a weekly column reporting all the Club’s news and results.

During that decade we were one of the strongest water polo sides in Great Britain, winning the national club title many times. We also had great swimmers, including John Martin-Dye, Tan Hawkins-Kovar, Linheart, Jackson and many others.

I was and still am so very proud of playing in our men’s water polo first team for over 10 years, with icons of their time such as Ron Turner, Stan Hawkins, Les Baldwin, Terry Miller, John Martin-Dye, plus other great players such Lew Bloomfield, John Lake, Gerry Jarrett and Bobby Wollaston.

We would also like to raise a glass or two to all our mates in the Pearl Club who we know are special stalwarts of Penguin.

Keep up the good work.

And news just in…

Our good friend, Pearl Club member and Penguin stalwart, Malcolm Cromer has just sent me this to read out and I have to say I am extremely impressed:

His brother Frank, who is now resident in Norway, but like Malcolm is still very active in the pool has just completed a clean sweep of gold medals in the Norwegian Masters National Championships. Not only did he take the gold medal, but he set new National records in backstroke for the 50, 100 and 200 metre distances in the over 75 age group. That is just fantastic. Malcolm, on behalf of the Club, please pass on our congratulations to Frank, a truly remarkable achievement.

Now, all there is left for me to say is please can we all charge our glasses and be up standing.

MANIBUS PEDIBUSQUE, WITH HANDS AND FEET

PENGUIN

#Penguin100

#ProudPastBrightFuture