History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
2015
Great Britain Under 17 Girl’s Water Polo Team
Hayley Price and Grace Rowland represented GB U17s Ladies Water Polo Team at the 2015 Baku
European Games in Azerbaijan. Team GB secured 11th place with a comprehensive win over Israel.
Grace Rowland bagged a hat-trick and goalkeeper Hayley marshalled a third quarter shut-out in the
final game. In all Grace scored 11 goals including 3 hat tricks during the course of the games and
Hayley saved a penalty.
Hayley and Grace also represented Great Britain at the Ladies U17s Water Polo European Qualifiers
Tournament in Nice, France. GB qualified in 2nd place. Grace was the team’s highest goalscorer with
14 goals and Hayley kept a clean sheet in the final game.
Results:
Great Britain 26 - Portugal 3
Great Bitain 8 - Czech Republic 8
France 13 - Great Britain 12
Great Britain 30 - Siwtzerland 0
France 14 - Czech Republic 7
Hayley and Grace also represented GB under 17 Ladies Water Polo Team in a tournament in
Slovakia and attended a GB Under 17s Girl’s Water Polo training camp in Leipzig, Germany.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
European Nations U17s Cup
Ten junior girl's teams competed in the European NationsU17s Cup in Praque Czech Republic: Czech
Republic, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Republic South Africa, Scotland, Slovakia,
Switzerland and Wales. Emmie Rose Eastwood was selected for the squad. England finished 5th in
the competition.
Results
England 22 - Scotland 3
England 28 - Denmark 3
England 11 - Slovakia 12
England 6 - 11 Saxonia/Chemintz
England 12 Ireland 4 (5th/6th place decider)
During the tournament Emmie scored 7 goals.
ASA National Championships
Left to right: Jessica Sloan, Imogen Bailey and Jodie Gittens
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Imogen Bailey, Jodie Gittins and Jessica Sloan had a successful ASA National Championships
(Swimming). Imogen and Jodie were competing at the nationals for the first time and were not
overawed by the experience.
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First up was Jodie competing in the 13 year girls 50 m butterfly where she finished in 11 place, just
missing a final place by 5 hundredths of a second. Jodie also competed in the 100 m butterfly
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finishing in 15 place overall.
Jessica was next competing in the Girls 17/18 years 4 x 100 m Freestyle Team for Wigan BEST,
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going into the evening finals session the team were lying in 3 place. After a hard fought swim they
were finally crowned champions and collected the gold medal.
Imogen was the last of the trio to compete, this time in the 14 years 200 m butterfly. Going into the
“last 50 metres of the race there were 5 swimmers all “neck and neck” for the final 3 medal positions.
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Coming into the last 10 metres Imogen moved away and finally was placed in 3 collecting her bronze
medal with pride
Para UK National Championships
Sam Dyson was formally classified S6 in December 2015 which then made him eligible to compete in
the UK National Championships meet.
Sam qualified for the 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle. Sam won both his
freestyle heats and won a bronze in the 50m freestyle for his 14-17 age group.
National Dwarf Sports Association (DSA) Games
Sam Dyson won all four events he entered at the National Dwarf Sports Association (DSA) Games:
25m butterfly, 25m and 50m freestyle and 100m IM. Sam was assessed by the ASA Disability
Pathway Officer to compete in ASA events.
National Water Polo Academy
Niall Clay, Emmie Rose Eastwood, Annie Holt, Lucy Mills and Jessica Robb attended the National
Water Polo Academy at Millfield and Leanne Stafford was selected as physiotherapist,
England Talent Programme
Annie Holt, Lucy Mills and Jessica Robb and Kate Rowland were selected to attend an England
Talent Water Polo training session in Cardiff. Annie, Lucy and Jessica were selected for the
programme.
Leanne Stafford was selected as physiotherapist to the England Talent Swim Programme and
England Talent Water Polo training camps for 2015/2016.
Diane Stafford was selected as Team Manager for the England Talent Swim Programme for
2015/2016.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
British Water Polo League
Liverpool Lizards
(British Water Polo League)
Grace Rowland (5th left) was a member of the unbeaten Liverpool Lizards team that won the 2015/16
Super 5s and Division 1 water polo competitions. Grace scored 10 goals during the two competitions.
Tyldesley Ladies
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Tyldesley ladies finished 5 in 2015/16 Ladies Division 2 and 8th in the Women’s Championship 1.
Grace Morley was the second highest goalscorerer in Division 2 with 21 goals 4th highest goalscorer
in Championship 2 with 15 goals.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
After a 3 year absence Tyldesley men’s water polo team were successful in their application to return
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to the BWPL and re-entered the league in Division 5. The team finished second in Division 5 and 8 in
the Men’s Championship 4. Addison Brown and Adam Toone were the 2nd and 3rd highest
goalscorers in Division 2 with 31 and 19 goals respectively. Adam Toone was 7th= highest goalscorer
in Championship 4 with 21 goals.
Irish Senior Ladies KO Cup
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Josephine Costello (3 left) represented St Vincent’s Senior Ladies Water Polo Team winners of the
Irish Senior Ladies KO cup.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Irish Senior Ladies Cup
nd
Josephine Costello (back row 2 left) also represented St Vincent’s Senior Ladies Water Polo Team
winners of the Irish Senior Ladies cup.
ASA National Age Group Finals
Manchester
Emmie Rose Eastwood (front row 1st left) represented Manchester in the ASA National U17s Age
Group Finals. The team finished 2nd in the competition.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Liverpool
Robyn Mclean (back row 5th left), Grace Rowland (1st left front row) and Hayley Price (3rd left front
row) represented Liverpool in the ASA National U17s Age Group Finals. The team finished 3rd in the
competition.
ASA National Academy Girls Water Polo Championships
Back row l to r: Libby Waite, Kate Flaherty, Jessica Robb, Annie Holt, Kelsey Evans, Lucy Mills, Paige
Evans, front row l to r Leah Hulme, Kate Rowland, Holly Toone
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Tyldesley under 15s finished 6th in the country.
The girls were up against it with only 2 of the girls being at the correct age of 14 the rest of the team
were 13 or younger.
The team started strongly with a convincing win against Cheltenham 12 goals to 1
Tyldesley then played Rotherham Metro and lost by 10 goals to 5.
Next up was the City of Manchester and the team played controlled water polo and won by 8 goals to
3.
Tyldesley then played the eventual winners Otter (A) from London and lost by 13 goals to 2.
In the play off’s Tyldesley beat Otter B by 5 goals to 2. The last game was tough for the young team
who ran out of energy and lost by 12 goals to 2 to Newton Abbot.
Kelsey Evans 12 years scored 11 goals and was the 10th highest goal scorer and voted Most
Valuable Player for Tyldesley.
ASA Inter-Regional Water Polo Championships
North West Thunder and Lightning
Hayley Price (1st left back row) and Grace Rowland (3rd right back row) represented North West
Thunder and Emmie Rose Eastwood (1st left front row) represented North West Lighting at the ASA
Inter-Regional Junior Water Polo Championships taking gold and bronze medals respectively. Grace
was the North West Thunder Most Valued Player.
Emmie Rose Eastwood; Kelsey Evans; Kate Rowland; Lucy Mills and Jessica Robb represented the
North West Region in the ASA Inter Regional Youth Girls Water Polo Championships.
Niall Clay and Aaron Royle represented the North West Region in the ASA Inter Regional Youth Boys
Water Polo Championships.
Harry Dunkerley represented the North West Region in the ASA Inter Regional Academy Boys Water
Polo Championships.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Annie Holt, Kate Rowland, Lucy Mills (captain),
Kelsey Evans and Leah Hulmes represented
North West Thunder and Kate Flaherty, Jessica
Robb, Holly Toone and Freya Higson
represented North Wdest Lightning at the ASA
Academy Inter RegionalWater Polo
Champiuonships. Megan Price was the coach
for Thunder and Hayley Price the coach for
Lightning.
Results:
NW Lightning 15 v Scotland 0
NW Lightning 1 v London 6
NW Lightning 9 v Wales 4
NW Thunder 8 v South East 2
Kate Rowland 3, Kelsey Evans 2, Lucy Mills 1
NW Thunder 9 v Midlands 3
Kelsey Evans 3, Lucy Mills 2, Kate Rowland 1
NW Thunder 10 v East Angels 2
Lucy Mills 5, Kate Rowland 3, Kelsey Evans 1
Left to right: Leah Hulmes, Lucy Mills, Annie H
olt, Kelsey Evans, Megan Price, Kate Rowland
North West Thunder 9 v North East 1
Kelsey Evans 3, Kate Rowland 2, Lucy Mills 1
Semi Final
NW Thunder 11 v NW Lightning 9
Thunder: Kelsey Evans 5, Lucy Mills 2, Kate Rowland 1; Lightening Kate Flaherty 2
Bronze Playoff
NW Lightning 9 v East Angels 13
Jessica Robb 2
Final
NW Thunder 6 v London 10
Kate Rowland 5
Kate Rowland was the Most Valuable Player for Thunder.
Tyldesley goalscorers for tournament: Kate Rowland 15, Kelsey Evans 14, Lucy Mills 11, Kate
Flaherty 2, Jessica Robb 2.
Regional Water PoloTraining Centre
Niall Clay, Kelsey Evans, Freya Higson, Annie Holt, Eva Howarth, Sebastian Jones, Lucy Mills,
Isobelle Robb, Jessica Robb, Kate Rowland and Holly Toone were invited to attend the Regional
Water Polo Training Centre.
Regional Talent Swim Programme
Dave Holt was selected as assistant coach to the 2015/2016 programme along with Leanne Stafford
(physiotherapist) and Diane Stafford (team manager).
University Ladies Water Polo Championships
Josephine Costello represented Loughborough University and Grace Morley represented Leeds
University at the University Ladies Water Polo Championships.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
English Colleges Swimming Championships
Adam Toone was the English Colleges 50 metres freestyle champion.
ESSA Schools Girls Water Polo Finals
The Pelican Centre was the venue for the ESSA Schools U18s, U16s and U14s Water Polo Northern
Finals. Astley St Mary’s competed in the U18, U16s and U14s competitions and Fred Longworth
competed in the U16s. Astley St Mary's and Fred Longworth are satellite schools for Tyldesley
Swimming and Water Polo Club supported by WLCT.
U18s
Competing teams: Crompton House Oldham, Manchester High School for Girls, Kesteven and
Grantham School and Astley St Mary’s.
Results:
Manchester High School 7 - St Mary’s 7
Kesteven and Grantham 2 - Crompton House 4
Manchester HS 6 - Crompton House 1
Kesteven and Grantham 1 - St Mary’s 4
Kesteven and Grantham 3 Manchester High School 8
Crompton House 3 - St Mary’s 2
Manchester High School for Girls and Crompton House Oldham qualified for the National finals,
Astley St Mary’s finished 3rd just missing out.
U16s:
Competing teams Manchester High School for Girls, Crompton House School Oldham, Astley St
Mary's and Fred Longworth Tyldesley.
Chloe Allen, Emmie Rose Eastwood, Kelsey Evans, Paige Evans, Annie Holt, Hayley Price and Jess
Sloan represented Fred Longworth and Hannah Banks, Amber Bibey, Kate Flaherty, Daisy Lear,
Jessica Robb, Kate Rowland and Libby Waite represented St Mary’s.
Results
Manchester High School 3 - Fred Longworth 3
St Mary's 2 - Crompton House 5
Manchester High School 7 - St Mary's 5
Fred Longworth 6 - Crompton House 6
Manchester High School 4 - Crompton House 9
Fred Longworth 7 - St Mary's 3
Crompton House and Fred Longworth qualified for the National finals.
This was the first time that Fred Longworth girl's team had qualified for the national finals
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Fred Longworth - back row Annie Holt, Hayley Price, Chloe Allen, Alex Whittle, Jess Sloan; front row
Kelsey Evans, Paige Evans, Emmie Rose Eastwood
St Mary’s - Stephanie Whittaker, Jesssica Eddison, Kate Flaherty, Libby Waite, Daisy Lear, Jessica
Robb, Kate Rowland, Amber Bibey, Hannah Banks, Alanis Whittaker (not in picture)
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Fred Longworth finished 6 in the ESSA Schools final.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
U14s:
St Mary’s back row Mr T Iddon (teacher), Kate Flaherty, Libby Waite, Daisy Lear, Charlotte Nester,
Hannah Banks, Grace Morley (coach); front row: Hannah Sheehan, Leah Hulmes, Kate Rowland,
Jessica Robb,
Competing teams in the Northern Finals: Crompton House Oldham, Manchester High School for Girls,
Astley St Mary’s, St Bedes and St Joseph's.
Results:
St Mary's 2 - Crompton House 2
St Bedes and St Joseph's 0 - Manchester High School for Girls 9
Manchester High School 1 - Crompton House 2
St Mary's 14 - St Bedes 0
St Bedes 1 - Crompton House 11
St Mary's 8 - Manchester High School 1
Astley St Mary's qualified for the National Finals in first place on goal difference.
Team: Jessica Robb, Kate Rowland, Kate Flaherty, Daisy Lear, Hannah Banks, Leah Hulmes, Libby
Waite members of Tyldesley Swimming Club, Charlotte Nester Howe Bridge Aces, Hannah Sheehan
Atherton and Leigh Swimming Club.
Goal scorers Jessica Robb 7, Daisy Lear 7, Kate Flaherty 5, Kate Rowland 2, Libby Waite 2 ,Hannah
Banks 1
In the National Finals St Mary's finished 3rd beating Crompton House in 3rd/4th play off 6 goals to 3.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Inter Association Swim Gala
Tyldesley trio Imogen Bailey, Jodie Gittins and
William Hornby represented Central Lancashire
Swimming & Water Polo Association at the InterAssociation Gala in Wigan.
.
The three swimmers were selected for various
events in the competition with their selection
being made from their achievements at the
Greater Manchester Autumn Meet.
William was placed 6th in the 11 year boys
200m IM.
Jodie was competing in the 13 year age group
and was placed 4th in the 200m IM; 4th in the
100m butterfly and 5th in the 100m freestyle.
Imogen who was also selected as the Girls
Captain was competing in the 14 year age group
and she was placed 2nd in the 100m butterfly;
2nd in the 200m butterfly; 3rd in the 200m IM
and 4th in the 100m freestyle.
Central Lancashire finished in 5th place.
Manchester & District 12/Us Water Polo Tournament
Tyldesley were the Manchester & District 12Us Water Polo Tournament runners up
Results:
Round 1
Semi-final
Final
Tyldesley 3 – Warrington 1
Bridgefield 8 – Tyldesley 0
ORCA 4 – Tyldesley 2
Tyldesley 2 – ORCA 1
Bridgefield 3 – Tyldesley 0
Goals: Harry Dunkerley 4, James Blenkinship 2, Kate Flaherty 1
Team: James Blenkinship, Harry Dunkerley, Kate Flaherty*, Freya Higson, Eva Howarth, Sebastian
Jones, Isobelle Robb
*Up to 4 born 2002 allowed
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Bolton & District 12/Us Water Polo KO
Back: Geoff Holme (B&D President); middle l to r Freya Higson, Owen Davies, Eva Howarth, Holly
Toone, Kelsey Evans, Sebastian Jones, Harry Dunkerley; front Adam Little, Finley Waite & Isobel
Robb
Tyldesley 5 – Bridgefield 11
Goals. Harry Dunkerley 2. Holly Toone 2. Kelsey Evans 1.
Kelsey Evans was the winner of the Matthew Flint Man of the Match Award for the second year
running.
Central Lancs Swim Leagues
The Senior Swim Team were runners up in the Central Lancs Senior Swim League.
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The Junior Swim Team were runners up in the Junior Swim League and finished 3 in the Junior
Jubilee A Final.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Lancaster 12/Us Water Polo Development Tournament
Left to right: Owen Davies, Sebastian Jones, Kelsey Evans, Isobelle Robb, Eva, Howarth, Harry
Dunkerley, Finlay Waite and James Blenkinship.
The 12/Us water polo travelled to Lancaster to play Lancaster, ORCA, Radcliffe, Ripley St Thomas,
Warrington, Bridgefield and Sedgefield and won 6 and drew 1. The final positions were as follows:
First - Tyldesley Second - Sedgefield Third - Ripley St Thomas Fourth - Lancaster City Fifth - ORCA
Sixth - Radcliffe Seventh - Warrington Eighth – Bridgfield.
Tyldesley Most Valuable Player was Sebastian Jones.
City of Manchester Water Polo Festival
Tyldesley took 3 teams to the City of Manchester Water Polo Festival: a boys and girls team at 14 and
under and a mixed team 12 and under.
Tyldesley were playing teams from all over the country and some were regional teams.
All 3 teams competed well with the girls finishing 8th and the highest placed girl’s team in the festival.
12 and under results:
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Group matches
Tyldesley Pelicans 0 - Bolton School 6
Tyldesley Pelicans 0 - Sedgefield 8
Tyldesley Pelicans 4 - Sheffield 4
Tyldesley Pelicans 2 - Oldham and Royton 3
This was a difficult group for Tyldesley’s young team with Bolton School and Sedgefield finishing 1st
and 2nd in the festival.
Tyldesley Pelicans won their last game against Warrington by 6 goals to 1.
In the 14’s competition group stages:
Tyldesley Girls 2 - St Ambrose 2
Tyldesley Girls 3 - Northampton 2
Tyldesley Girls 2 - Bridgefield 7
Tyldesley Girls 6 - Oldham 8
Tyldesley Girls 1 - Warrington 6
Tyldesley Girls 3 - Bridgefield 5
Tyldesley Boys 14 - Welsh Wanderers 2
Tyldesley Boys 5 - Lancaster 13
Tyldesley Boys 2 - Rotherham Metro 5
Tyldesley Boys 10 - Clontarf (Ireland) 2
Tyldesley Boys 4 - Leeds 5
Tyldesley Boys 5 - Bolton School B 3
Out of 16 teams the girls finished 8th and the boys 11th.
It was a well organised tournament and Tyldesley entered into the spirit of the festival with the
coaches using the competition as a development day for all players.
Club Championships
Imogen Bailey broke the girl’s under 15s 100m butterfly with a time of 1.07.88 almost 2 seconds faster
than Kate Ward’s record of 1.09.78 set in 1998.
Garrett Hall (pictured) were winners of the Primary Schools 4 x 25m freestyle relay (Cope Shield).
Fred Longwoth HS were winners of the Boy’s Year 11 and under 4 x 50m freestyle relay (Clegg
Shield) and Girl’s Year 11 and under 4 x 50 m freestyle relay (Birtle Trophy). The girls missed out on
the record (2.04.31 set by Fred Longworth HS in 2014) by just 0.12 seconds.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Mini Gala
Left to right: Melanie Vaughan, Alex Hornby, Rachel Lawrence, Rachel Hornby & William Hornby.
Tyldesley held their 44th Mini Gala and for the 3rd Year it was held jointly with the Pelican swimmers
at the Pelican Centre
Guest of honour was Melanie Vaughan ex GB water polo player and ex Tyldesley Club Captain.
The overall champions were:
Alex Hornby 8 year old boy champion, Rachel Lawrence 8 year old girl champion, Rachel Hornby 10
year old girl champion William Hornby 10 year old boy champion.
Queen’s Birthday Honours
In the Queen’s birthday honours, the queen awarded Frederick Lawrence the Queens Ambulance
Medal one of only four awarded in the UK this year and only 13 that have ever been awarded to date.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Frederick Lawrence Esquire QAM, a committee member of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
attended Buckingham Palace on the 10th November for his investiture, the whole day was from start
to finish was a truly amazing experience for him.
Frederick was fortunate that Her Majesty personally presented his award and engaged in a small
conversation. The Queen was articulate and graceful in her comments and he could not have wished
for a more auspicious day.
Frederick full title became: Mr Frederick Lawrence Esquire QAM.
Wigan Sports Awards
Dennis Price and Lee Toone were finalists in the Coach of the Year category at the Wigan Sports
Awards.
Grace Rowland was a finalist in the Athlete of the Year category.
11 Lakes Challenge
Ten Tyldesley water polo players took on the
challenge of 11 swim able Lake District Lakes over 42
miles in one weekend. The challenge was to raise
funds for the swimming club as the men’s team
returned to playing water polo in the British Water
Polo League.
Friday didn’t start of well with a severe weather
warning for the North West of England. In pouring rain
the Tyldesley swimmers swam Rydal Water,
Grasmere, Coniston water, Ullswater.
On Saturday the weather started to improve but the
bus broke down. 5 lakes were completed:
Bassenthwaite, Crummmock Water, Loweswater,
Wastwater and Buttermere.
On Sunday the sun came out and Team Tyldesley
swam the last 2 lakes: Derwent Water and
Windermere to complete the 11 lake challenge.
Photo Left to Right: Addison Brown, Aaron Royle,
John Fletcher, Adam Toone, Scott Royle, Lee Toone,
Aaron Atherton, Rob Bond, Jamie MacDonald, Rob
Leyland.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Tyldesley Ladies Netball 14 - Tyldesley Men’s Water Polo Team 8
In a friendly match to improve links between community clubs in Tyldesley and to appreciate the skills
of different sports, Tyldesley Netball invited Tyldesley Men’s Water Polo team to a friendly netball
match.
The game was played in good spirits and the accurate shooting of Tyldesley Netball team was the
difference between the two teams.
Qualifications
Hayley Price achieved her ASA/UKCC Level 1 Teaching Aquatics Certificate.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Back: Macauley Harrison, Trevor Barton MBE; front Lauren Mitchenson, Paul Costello
Lauren Mitchenson and Macauley Harrison have completed the Rotary Youth Leadership Award
course sponsored by Astley Rotary.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
2015 Presentation Evening (January 2016)
Austin Lawley was made a Honoury Member in reward for 15 years’ service to the club as a
swimmer, water polo player and volunteer.
Alan Stafford won the Tyldesley Swimming Club Volunteer of The Year Trophy.
Harry Dunkerley was presented with the Ryan Heywood Trophy for Most Valued Junior Water Polo
Player for 2015. Harry also received the 12s Highest Goalscorer and 12s Most Valued Player Awards.
Joshua Dunkerley was the 14s Higest Goalscorer and 14s Most Valued Player (not present).
Annie Holt was presented with the 14s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Sebastian Jones was the 12s Goalkeeper of the Year award (not present).
Keith Royle
During 2015 Keith Royle completed 40 years service as a swimming and water poloteacher.
Club Captains
Hayley Price was elected as the Girls Club Captain for a second year and Chris Mort was elected as
Boys Club Captain.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
ATSA KS2 Swimming Gala
Winning St Philips team with their trophy, medals and winning certificate.
88 Children from 11 primary schools took part in the Atherton and Tyldesley Sports Association KS2
Swimming gala at the Pelican Centre in Tyldesley. Four ATSA Swimming Gala records were broken
during the gala.
ATSA KS2 Water Polo Festival
The Pelican Centre was the venue for the KS2 Water Polo Festival in which 98 children from St.
George's Central, St. Philip's, Holy Family, St. Michael's, Garrett Hall, St. Richard's, Tyldesley
Primary, St. Ambrose Barlow, St. Stephen's and St. John's all took part in five minute matches against
other teams in their group.
St. Richards met Garrett Hall in the final match and went on to win 4-2 and were crowned the first
ever ATSA KS2 Mini Water Polo Champions”.
Winners Garrett Hall included Tyldesley Swimming Club members James Blenkinship, Freya Higson,
Eva Howarth and Thomas Howarth.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
Pelican Centre Achieved Charity Status
The Pelican Centre achieved charity status in January. Trevor Barton MBE – Chair of Trustees
released the following press statement:
“It seems ludicrous that four years can have passed by so quickly. It was four years ago when we
were told that Tyldesley Swimming Pool was likely to be closed for two reasons. Firstly, it was the
oldest and most expensive to maintain and secondly, it had the fewest number of people using it. As
you know, a group of us got together and on 1st April, 2012 we took it over and it has been a very
interesting journey ever since.
Nationally, we are not on our own. One in three pools is under threat of closure and shockingly, at the
end of junior school, 50%+ of our children can’t swim. For us, shutting the pool was therefore not an
option because we realise that some people in our area would be unable to find the money to travel to
another pool.
As it is the start of 2015 we thought you would like to see our collective enthusiasm and to get a feel
as to how the Pelican Centre is progressing.
The first thing to say is that we are now a Charity (No. 1159655). That sounds very simple but it is
exceptionally difficult and complicated to actually achieve charitable status. One of the reasons is, of
course, that they have to trust you and you have to be able to demonstrate a trustworthy track record.
Financially, it means that, in the unlikely event of making a surplus, we won’t have to pay corporation
tax and will be able to plough that money back into the project.
Secondly, people can now bequeath money to us in the form of legacies and even mark up any
donations or contributions against ‘Gift Aid’, adding a further 25% of value.
We have to be completely transparent and accountable but that is the way we have always been so it
is no hardship.
Also, you will be aware that the Pelican Centre was at the heart of Wigan’s ‘New Deal’. We have a
really good relationship with our Local Authority and our locally elected members have been very
supportive through Brighter Borough money. Six months ago we put a Sport England grant to very
good use, alongside monies that we had pulled together to carry out a £70,000+ project to refurbish
all the changing rooms. We are hoping to continue the refurbishment, particularly at poolside, so will
be going in for another grant in this regard. Sport England seems to really like what we are doing.
You will be aware that, at the back of the swimming pool, there is another room that used to be a
heritage store, which is two thirds the size of the swimming pool. The room has been cleared now and
with the Council’s support, we intend that this room has a flexible use in that, during the day it will be
for people who require adult social care because of learning difficulties or the like and during the
evening and at weekends, it will be our own youth zone. If you want to get involved in either of these
elements, let us know.
“We hope to have a reception / café, which will be staffed by people with mental health problems. So,
there should be no concerns that we are in competition with our surrounding businesses who are so
supportive, especially through our new Tyldesley Township Partnership.
It is our ultimate ambition to get some Heritage funding to renovate the exterior of our fine iconic
building, which has played a part in our society for nearly 90 years.
With nine staff, a turnover of £1/4M a year and 1,800 people a week visiting us, the Pelican has
doubled the number of public swims, as well as the number of hours that it is open and the usage by
schools has tripled.
Our ‘Learn to Swim’ programme now has a waiting list – however, it is not just about numbers. The
quality of our ‘Learn to Swim’ programme means that our levels of attainment, against the national
benchmarks, are quite high because we believe there is no substitute for quality when involved with
water safety. We run a clean, safe pool with a staff that really understands customer service. Natalia,
our terrific Manager and her staff continue to be an inspiration to us all and they deserve massive
respect.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
The Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club, that has been around since 1876, has more members
now than ever. The water polo teams go from strength to strength and are causing a stir wherever
they compete.
The quality of swimming and the mutual respect between our staff, the club and our young people
means that we have lots of fun but we can compete when called upon.
Within the last two weeks an emerging swimmers gala took place, in which we and four other local
pools in our Borough competed. Our club scooped over half the medals and we are still improving.
As we always knew, we have the talent, we just need to unlock it. There is a lot more to do and we
are constantly on the lookout for fellow volunteers to help us achieve it. So, if you want to get
involved, let us know.
I cannot close without thanking my fellow Trustees most sincerely for all the work that they do, freely
and with no expectation of remuneration.
As ever, we will honour the past, inspire the future and try to leave a legacy that our forebears left us.
Yours in sport”
Trevor Barton MBE – Chair of Trustees
Pelican Centre Received £384,000 Funding to Refurbish The Heritage Centre
In December 2015 the Pelican Centre secured £384,000 funding from Wigan Council to refurbish the
heritage centre. Planned facilities included a gym, youth zone, classroom, multi-functional hall and
facilities for adult social care.
The funding pot was allocated by the town hall through “The Deal” as the new facilities would help to
deliver adult and children’s services.
Pelican Board Chairman Trevor Barton MBE said: “This is an iconic building in Tyldesley and the area
available is an ideal space for sustainable social care for adults and young people.
“It’s a real shot in the arm for the town and I’m very excited about it. Through “The Deal” for
Communities we will be able to have this important building serving the whole of our community.
The gym will be open to community groups for lifestyle work and it is also hoped injured veterans will
be able to go there for physiotherapy and rehab.
History of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club
The youth zone will feature areas for young people to meet and enjoy food and drink as well as play
table tennis, table football or other activities they say they would like.”
Mr Barton said: “I’m so looking forward to seeing our veterans using the facility as part of their return
to health, and it’s an ideal space for them.”
The renovation project also received support from Leigh MP and Pelican Centre President Andy
Burnham. Mr Burnham said: “I’m absolutely thrilled about this investment. The Pelican Centre has
gone from strength to strength and this external investment and the idea it is all finally coming into
community use is just brilliant.”
“It’s a vital facility which Tyldesley needs and Trevor and all the team deserve massive credit for the
way they have put their hearts and souls into it.”
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, cabinet member for health and adult services, said: “Working together with
local people, this key community asset will enable us to expand the opportunities on offer and build
individual resilience.”