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Category: Water Polo

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: 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.

 

Penguin girls enjoy success playing for Middlesex in the South East Region Inter County U16 (Girls) Championship

11 December 202118 December 2021
Water Polo

Congratulations to the Penguin players in the Middlesex squad that won silver in the annual South East Region Inter County U16 (Girls) Championship which took place on Sunday 28 November 2021 at Whitgift School in Croydon.

Water polo players wearing their silver medals

 

The Middlesex team made a great start in their first game, playing at high tempo and with a focus on counter attack to secure a 5-1 win over Hampshire.

Middlesex’s next game was a tough one against Sussex who went on to win the competition overall. Sussex’s organised approach and high press meant the Middlesex girls were always on the defence, losing 3-6.

In their third match Middlesex lost 1-2 to Kent but there were big improvements from the previous game with better defensive systems and the Middlesex girls were unlucky not to capitalise on some set pieces.

After a good team talk Middlesex really came together in their final match against Surrey, showing confidence in each other’s strengths and a good understanding of their game. They took the win 9-1.

water polo players posing for photo

 

The Penguin players – Aisling, Amelia, Georgia, Jaspreet, Harriet, Lize, Nicola, Orlaith, Sophie, Robyn, Rosie, Zara and Zoe – can be extremely proud of their efforts.

Our thanks to Chris Martin for organising the tournament, Martin Waller as the Middlesex team manager and Fred Willey from Middlesex County ASA who made everything possible and organised team shirts. Also to Penguin’s Ian Grimwood and Shaun Hill for coaching the team.

Penguin 100 Stories: My water polo career by Karine Meadley

5 October 2021
Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, PenguINspiration, Team GB, Water Polo

Prior to moving to London to study physiotherapy in 1994, my sporting focus had always been basketball and a bit of swimming to mix things up. Well, except for summer holidays when I was lucky enough to find a holiday resort with ‘water polo’ or ‘water basketball’ on offer – I felt like I was in my element.

The University of London Union was where I tried water polo proper for the first time. I remember it well, especially the horrified facial expression of coach Jerome Read when, having no idea of the rules, I grabbed the ball with two hands and curled myself around it. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I had the knack of eggbeater leg kick, a better understanding of the rules, and I was invited to join the Penguin Club.

I played with Penguin for just over ten years. It was a time that helped me grow as a person, learn life skills (and lessons), and make some incredible friendships with people from all over the world, many of whom I consider close friends even now, 16 years later. Most importantly I learnt my capacity (or lack of) to consume alcoholic beverages.

Charlie Parkinson, Karine Hales Meadley, Lis Holmes
Karine (centre) with Penguin teammates Charlie Parkinson (left) and Lis Holmes (right)

 

I was baffled when I was elected to be captain of the Penguin women’s water polo team in 1998 but figured if someone else thought I could do it, then I would give it a go. For four years I rallied the troops for games, led discussions on who was to be the next coach, delegated a lot, and introduced George I  – the inflatable penguin and women’s team mascot. I was proud to be part of a team of strong women who were committed to not only having fun whilst keeping fit, but also to becoming integral to running the Club, particularly with the likes of Helen Nicholson, Manda Hackett, Sally Woolhouse-Read and Charlie Parkinson.

From 2001 I joined the Great Britain Water Polo Squad. The extra water polo commitments, Penguins and my physio career juggle eventually became too much, and I was happy to hand over the captaincy to Fiona Greer, who has gone on to do so much more for the Club than just lead a team of women.

Karine Meadley playing water polo for team GB
Karine playing water polo for team GB

 

In late 2004 , after having had the opportunity to play at various European and World Championships, I decided I should probably try getting my life back and focusing on my physio career.

In January 2005 I played my last game for Penguin and enjoyed a legendary send off party (did I ever say thank you for that Charlie and team?) and set off to make the most of sleeping on ex-Penguin players’ couches in New Zealand and Australia, before settling in Brisbane to do some post-grad study in sports physio.

My contact with water polo became less, but there was always a Penguin linked to it, and being physio for the British team at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, with Jerome Read as part of the coaching team once again, felt like an appropriate ending to my career in water polo.

16 years on and living in South Australia, I still have close friends some of whom live just down the road, who are ex-Penguins, or know someone who was a Penguin. Lets face it, Penguins are awesome, and awesome people know awesome people…

 

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

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