Water Polo

ANYONE FOR WATER POLO?

Radcliffe Swimming Club has recently celebrated its centenary and for most of the last 100 years it has operated a water polo team. The Club has produced many international water polo players at both senior and junior level. In past years water polo has been very popular and attendances of over 500 spectators have been recorded for games in the Old Baths in Whittaker Street. 

Unfortunately the popularity of the game has decreased over recent years and many swimming clubs have given up the sport. Similar effects were seen at Radcliffe, where only a senior team has been functioning and where existing players could not be replaced as the supply of new experienced players diminished. Consequently, when the opportunity arose, the Club’s Committee applied for a “Millennium Festival Awards for All” grant to fund the development of junior water polo at Radcliffe. This award has been used in a number of ways from buying of equipment, to the training of teachers and to subsidising pool hire time.

The Club has obtained equipment to introduce younger players to mini water polo.  This game is played across the width of the Baths with special reduced sized goals and ball. Mini water polo has a simplified set of rules, which are gradually adapted to incorporate the laws of the  senior game as the players’ performance improves. A course leading to the Amateur Swimming Association Assistant Teacher Qualification in Water Polo has been run at the Club. Under the tuition of top water polo coaches, Pippa Jones and Mike Glover, seven club members have gained the award: Barry Carr, John Gardner, Sean Grimes, Hayden Howard, Alison Mather, Richard Matthews and Neil McCheyne. These members, plus several other keen parents, form the basis of the teaching and coaching personnel available to instruct.

Under the direction of Neil McCheyne, the Club’s Water Polo Secretary for the last two years, the competitive side of the sport has developed rapidly. Besides a senior team, the Club now fields an under 15’s side, an under 16’s side and an under 18’s side. Experienced players of all levels are required for these teams as well as newcomers to the sport. If you are over 10 years of age, male or female, and are a good swimmer and would like to try this most enjoyable sport, contact Neil McCheyne on 0161-724-9223 or an official on any club night.

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