b'Handsworth Grammar School Old Boys SWIMMING CLUB REPORT SEASON 2023Our history, from the long-term closure of all swimming activity in March 2020, has been very difficult. The Covid lockdown had remained in place until Handsworth Leisure Centre reopened its doors to the Club on 7th May 2021. We had resumed our normal activities and were having a positive period of rejuvenation, when a further bombshell was dropped upon us on 2nd November, when the Leisure Centre told us that the Large Pool roof was in such a bad state of repair that the pool had to be closed immediately. Richard Brough scoured the city to find us an alternative location, finally securing a slot at University of Astons pool starting on 24th November 2021 for the estimated six-week period for the work to be completed. When the 2023 season opened 13 months laterOur Water Polo year was much more positive. In the the Leisure Centre was still closed, with the Clubspring we entered the Warwickshire Championships still operating at University of Astons pool. We hadand managed to win four of the first five games. lost almost all of our Junior Members, and severalHowever, at Wyndley we lost to Boldmere 1513 of our teaching staff found work elsewhere; but,and this prevented us achieving a place in the final while our attendance was limited, it consisted of aas top of Division 1.core of long-standing senior members, who wereOur A Team had successfully maintained its place determined to keep the Club running.in Midland League Division 1, so we knew we Outline planning for the reopening of the Leisurewould again have to fight hard in 2023 and that Centre started as early as April. The date of ourcompetition would be high. Our difficulties were return was always going to be variable, withincreased when one of our best players had to constantly changing information from HLC, startingundergo major shoulder surgery pre-season, so from May, until the great day came in July. we were without his presence in the team until A decision was made, due to a need to recruit andSeptember. We played well during the season train teaching staff, that we could not utilise Poolwithout much reward, but we calculated that three 1, that minimum intake ability was to be Level 6games were critical to our final position; of these (due to the depth of Pool 2) and that due to thewe defeated Camp Hill and Oxford at home, and low numbers attending during summer holidays,managed a hard-fought away draw at Oxford in our start date would be 8th September 2023, 22order to retain our status in the top league for months after the first lockdown.another year.The A Team was again on the brink of success in the autumn when, after a hard-fought campaign, we gained a place in the League Handicap Cup Competition final against Aston, at the Commonwealth Pool in Sandwell. Because of the 10-goal handicap Aston had been awarded, we had to beat them by one clear goal at the final whistle. The match score was 155 to us (1515 with the handicap), so the trophy went to Aston. Our three penalty misses proved critical.Jason Culloo captained the team well and ended the season top scorer, receiving good support from our whole squad. Richard Broughs astute team management was also highly important. Big thanks are due to Dianne Charles, Cathy Chesworth, plus their helpers on the table for our home matches.Sadly, none of our other competitive, nor social events took place.It was heartening that during the year we saw the return of several of our former senior players from retirement and a few juniors too. We have also recruited more new juniors, but our numbers remain low and expenditure is likely to exceed income because of this. We are extremely fortunate to still be in existencewe must expand and need not only more swimmers, but volunteers to assist the very hard-working group that holds the Club together.Philip Swann54'