SWIMMING CLUB REPORT 2018 LEAGUE RESULTS U18s finished 6th out of 6 teams last season The B Team finished 6th out of 6 teams in Division 3 The A Team finished 5th out of 7 teams, meaning they retained their Division 1 Status for another year. This is now the longest period that the A Team has ever remained in the top division. Warwickshire Senior and Junior leagues, Wrekin Winter league and U18 league are all still in progress. As in every year, we owe huge thanks again to our Hon. Water Polo Secretary, Richard Brough, who really is the mainstay of the club, organising teams, leagues, matches, referees, and doubtless several other jobs that he just gets on with, which we aren’t even aware of. There simply would be no water polo without all his hard work. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again, Richard, from all of us, for all the work you do, and have done for us, over many, many years. The annual Race Night in October was well attended and we once again give thanks to Dianne Charles, for co-ordinating the event and recording the results. Also, thank you to all members who helped with timing lanes, etc. Dianne spends a lot of time working for our club as both Membership Secretary and Treasurer, and we are enormously grateful for all her hard work, thank you so much, Dianne. The Old Boys beat the School and U18s in the annual relay race in October and were also victorious in the polo match, and the Under 21s won the Over/Under 21 match in January this year on our return following the Christmas break. The Annual Awards and Social Evening took place on 24 November at the Club House. Thanks to Ken Gower, for being our MC once again and hosting a very enjoyable evening, as well as organising the awards administration, thus ensuring everyone got the correct awards. Thank you so much Chris Brough for organising the raffle, which raises important funds to keep the club going, over £800 this time. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets, attended, donated food, sold and bought raffle and Irish Bingo tickets, donated prizes, manned the bar, etc, etc. Thanks to Ade Thomson for testing our grey cells with another tricky quiz, and for calling the Irish bingo again. It’s always good to see you Ade – consider yourself booked for next year; I’ll let you know as soon as the date’s decided. Yet again our biggest thank you for this event must go to Rebekah Hannah for organising the whole evening and recruiting and marshalling the rest of us ‘volunteers’ so we know what we’re doing – nobody does it better, Beks. During the evening, our Head Coach, Caroline Henderson, presented trophies in various categories and badges to all the race night winners who were present. For those who were unable to attend to collect their awards, they have either been presented since (or will be at the first opportunity). Thanks Caroline for doing the honours. The Allison trophy for the most improved swimmer was awarded to Lydia Yemane, and the most improved U16 water polo player trophy to Divi Chawdhary. Players’ player of the year awards went to: Daniele Reka for the U18s, Daniele Reka for the B team, Alun Rickards for the A team The Richard Brough trophy was awarded to Anne-Marie Perry, who takes charge of the youngest and most highly populated group of children in the small pool, introducing and helping them get used to the water, always with a big smile and an admirable amount of patience. Thank you, Anne-Marie. We would like to welcome Penny, Kim, Laura and Mary to our team of volunteer teachers in the small pool (thanks to Caroline for her very effective recruitment drive). They are now taking turns to join Anne-Marie in the youngest group in the small pool and it appears to be working very well indeed. We hope you are enjoying it; thank you for volunteering. No doubt the children are benefiting from the extra help and attention. As many of you are aware. 2019 is a very special year for HGSOBSC – it is our Centenary! Many special events are planned, below are a few of them: 5TH APRIL – Friday – HGSOB v MWPL President’s Team (1 player from each MWPL Club) – Water Polo Match 3RD MAY – Friday – HLC Centenary Fun Night – 20-a-side FUN water polo match 29TH JUNE – Saturday – Drayton Manor Outing for all U16 years (No unaccompanied children) 13TH JULY – Saturday – HLC – Inter Club Water Polo Tournament – 6 teams (2 leagues of 3 teams) – Winners of each league = final 7TH SEPTEMBER – Saturday – Tally Ho – Centenary Dinner 11TH OCTOBER – Friday – HLC – H S Smith Race Night – School and Under 18 v Old Boys – Water polo Match. 16TH NOVEMBER – Saturday – Club House – Awards Night 20TH DECEMBER – Friday – HLC – U16 Water Polo Tournament Finally, as ever, thanks to everyone who gives up their time to serve on the committee, coach the polo teams, teach the swimmers, officiate on the table, help with transport to matches, provide post-match food for the club house. We always need more volunteers, so please let us know if you are able to help – just speak to any member of the existing team or any committee member. You can be assured of a warm welcome. Lorraine Hughes Join us to meet old friends, reminisce and celebrate with teammates, old and new, on this very special occasion. Centenary Polo Trunks, Polo Shirts and T Shirts are currently available. Contact Philip Swann, at p.swann@btinternet.com for more details. at the Tally Ho Banqueting Centre, Pershore Road, Edgbaston Saturday 7th September 2019. The bar will be open from 7.00pm till midnight and we will sit down for a four course meal at 7.30pm. The evening will include an Exhibition of Photos and Memorabilia. Centenary Dinner Swimming Club 1919 2019 43