The ASA Inter-Regional Water Polo Championships 2010 – Youth Girls
London came 7th in the Youth Girls (born 1993 or later) Inter-Regional Water Polo Championships Division 2 at Walsall on 13th/14th January. The performance and conduct of the members of the team was a credit to themselves, their clubs and Regional Training Centres (RTCs). The team members were
Rosie Tayler (Beckenham/Invicta) (GK)
Orla O'Connor (Croydon/Beckenham/Invicta) (C)
Brooke Tafazolli (Sutton & Cheam) (VC)
Sophie Monaghan-Coombes (Beckenham/Invicta)
Nicole Barron (Sutton & Cheam)
Emily Grant (Beckenham/Invicta)
Jai-Ping Lee (Beckenham/Invicta)
Reanna Howells (Sutton & Cheam)
Lauren Spencer-Boyce (Beckenham/Invicta)
Eve Tidy (Sutton & Cheam)
Matilda Williams (Beckenham/Invicta)
Dora Roughan (Beckenham/Invicta)
Saturday
The round robin games on the Saturday, started off with a well earned victory against the East Region (London 6 v East 4). This game was likely to determine where London finished in their side of the draw. It also being Team London’s first opportunity to play competitively together, they put on a disciplined tactical performance.
It was then the real test playing the North West ‘A’ team largely made up of the Manchester / Liverpool junior set ups. The experienced depth of the North West, its A & B teams eventually went into competition in the final, is to be admired. For London, the team never gave in to their credit, and lost 10-2.
After such efforts, the team then picked itself up for the final game of the day against the North East. A very well prepared and physically strong team ran out 10-3 winners over Team London. Thoroughly exhausted from the competitive show – each player headed for a well earned rest at Pizza Hut!
Sunday
Having completed the round robin games, London had finished 3rd in their group and had two remaining games to determine their placing. As a consequence the first game up on Sunday was against Scotland – placed 4th in their side of the draw.
The early start (first game on at 9.30am)… tiredness from the day before… I’m not truly sure what happened in the first game on Sunday – we as a team never really got going. Now playing 4 quarters of 5 mins, the game seemed almost to drift us by, as attack after attack was fruitless. And all credit to the Scotland team for taking advantage – tactically they got it right. The end result was a disappointing Scotland 5 London 3 result.
This meant London moved into the 7th/8th place play-off for the wooden spoon against the East – competing against them for the second time across the weekend. A good first quarter, was followed by two quarters that seemed to be a repeat of the early morning game. Going into the final quarter 2 goals down, it was going to be a difficult task to pull it back but a quick goal made for a tense finish. Both teams’ attacks were stifled by each teams pressing defence. With 1min 40 to go, the team called a time out, with just enough time to explain the importance of the following attack in winning the game. The team responded with levelling goal from Sophie Monaghan-Coombes 4-4! After the next attack from the East broke down, the London team had one final 30sec attack before time ran out. With just over 40 secs reaming on the clock, Brooke Tafazoli scored a 5 metre effort, which was enough to run out the game winners. Brooke herself, top goal scorer for London, was also voted by team delegates as one of the 6 most valuable players in the whole competition.
Final comments
Getting a team together for this year’s event was in mine and Anna’s mind, always about setting a benchmark for future years. On delving a little deeper into this years squad, 85% of them are young enough to compete next year - one year stronger, older and wiser…. 75% have two years remaining, while some have 3yrs to look forward too.
With the London League Girls competitions up and running successfully, year on year proving to reach a higher standard of competition, and with masses of young girls coming through their respective club systems, the future looks very promising for London Girls’ Water Polo.
Thanks very much for being part of a fine squad performance to:
· Anna Newell for providing the sound management structure and organisation,
· To all the parents for cheering us on in the balcony for support and chaperoning,
· Gary Simons for providing quality pool time at Crystal Palace,
· Steve Baker and Chris Martin for kit and board-level support,
· The players’ club and RTC coaches who deserve the main credit for the results.
Richard Collins (Coach)
Anna Newell (Team Manager)
