Home of Water Polo in Scotland

Schools Water Polo Championships crown Grove Academy and Portobello HS

The Scottish Secondary Schools Championships took place Friday June 6th at St Margarets Academy in Livingston.   With 20 teams entered in the Open and S1-S3 categories it was a cracker.    What was quickly apparent to observers who have been these since it started in 2010, was that the level of competition has improved immensely with teams having a mix of club players and non-club players who can play both offensive and defensive tactics and shoot from distance well.    It was an exciting tournament with teams clearly improving as they went along, making many games outcomes unpredictable.  

The Open competition saw three Dundee schools sweep the medals; Grove Academy and crosstown rival Harris Academy finished regulation 5-5, but Grove excelled in a penalty shootout making the first three while Harris missed all three and it was over 8-5.    St John's took the Bronze defeating defending champions George Heriots 4-3.    Dunfermline HS took fifth over Queen Anne (6-1) while Menzieshill took 7th after beating hosts St Margarets in a shootout 5-3.    

In the S1-S3 competition, which was 5-a-sides, Portobello HS triumphed over hosts St Margarets 10-6.   The bronze went to George Heriots who beat Edinburgh rival James Gillespies 5-3.   

Look for updates soon with more scores and scorers.

Welcome to Forth Valley WPC

There is a new water polo club in the Falkirk area. Forth Valley WPC came into being this year. Check out their website http://www.forthvalleywpc.weebly.com for details. Team Manager Douglas Gardner.

Scotland 1997+ Boys Team for Inter-Regionals

The team selected for the 1997+ Inter Regions, which will take place in Sheffield on 12/13 July 2014, is –
1. Jamie Heywood (Warrender)
2. Sam Muir (Menzieshill)
3. Braden Henderson (Menzieshill) - Captain
4. Angus Cameron (Stirling)
5. Felix Charlton (Portobello)
6. Clayton Woods (Portobello)
7. Jamie Davidson (Portobello)
8. Scott Wilson (Warrender)
9. Colin Wood (Aberdeen)
10. Lewis Goldie (Stirling)
11. Jack Robertson (Menzieshill)
12. Mathew Crighton (Menzieshill)
13. Elliot Harris (Stirling)

Legacy exploding in the North

What is the legacy of the Water Polo Commonwealth Championships?    With most of the games based later in Glasgow and the diving in Edinburgh one might wonder what boost has happened after the Polo Commonwealth Championships in Aberdeen in April.    We've been lucky to be offered "Celebrate" and matching funds to help support development in Aberdeen and the North.    Hopefully soon, the rest of clubs will enjoy playing competitive matches with the Northerners!

I am happy to report that there has been a large impact in Aberdeen and the North which has not been a water polo stronghold in decades.   With great help from Scottish Swimming Regional Development managers Sean Dawson (Aberdeen & Grampian) and Ewan Stirling (Highlands & Islands) water polo is growing quickly in the North.    I, Neal Rayner, am enjoying spending much of my time in the land of long summer light with kids and adults alike who are having a blast learning and playing polo.    It's genuinely refreshing to see so much raw enthusiasm and desire to play polo.   The Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) is a heaven for polo.   

Aberdeen started it's new Academy May 9th (ASV) with 60 kids registered representing 10 swim clubs and two polo clubs across the North.   It is now being split into two sessions.    The Aberdeen Sports village has helped with putting it's employees and Aberdeen Uni and RGU students through the UKCC level 1 courses and there are now 18 new level 1 coaches across the North and at least 8 signed up for the level 2 in June.    The ASV are helping staff the Academy and the "Learn to Play Polo" for level 7 & 8 Swimmers as well as coached sessions being started at Northfield pool and Tullos Pool in Aberdeen.    Schools are just taking on Polo in Aberdeen as well with Robert Gordon's College and Aberdeen Grammar leading the way and more schools expected to add on soon.     Clubwise, Aberdeen Amateurs are just seeing a bump as schools children are being encouraged to join there.     A few swim clubs have also enjoyed tasters and at least two swim clubs are expected to form their own polo sections soon.     Lastly, adults in Aberdeen will be able to join the Senior Aberdeen Amatuers session as well as play in the monthly game nights at the Aberdeen Sports Village for 16+.    

Inverness ASC is adding members and regularly has 20 players in their sessions now, but more importantly Inverness will trial a 6 week Academy for juniors soon.    Tain's pool has started polo with a hugely popular Active Schools session as well as a local beta league forming.    Both Orkney and Shetland are looking to add polo to their offerings soon.