Winchester News Online
British water polo struggling to stay afloat
In more than a decade since the London 2012 Olympics, British water polo is fighting for survival.
After briefly emerging into the national spotlight, the sport has now fallen sharply off the pecking order.
Since the Games, all elite-level funding from UK Sport has dried up from the men’s and women’s national teams, resulting in Britain lacking the financial base to compete internationally.
The effects are grim: no Olympic appearances since 2012, fewer development paths and a sport that is becoming more and more reliant on volunteers and self-financed athletes.
The problems on the club level are equally glaring.
It allows teams like the London Penguins to train well into the night at the London Aquatics Centre and other world-class venues, but with almost no financial backing.
Players hold full-time jobs, travel long journies and pay for their own expenses but remain engaged.
Passion keeps people in the pool, but passion cannot recreate the professional culture throughout Europe where investment in youth development and coaching is the backbone of thriving water polo systems.
Players and coaches across the UK report frustration in many ways: the talent is there but the infrastructure is not.
Britain continues to lose young athletes, who, with adequate support, can take steps forward to the international stage.
Minimal media coverage limits avenues for public engagement and sponsorships.
“I do feel that we do need some support from the city, from the councils, to help us grow; to support different, special categories of youth in terms of joining, being involved in sport and, ultimately, increasing funding of senior teams and the sport itself,” Adrian Carrieri said.
But within that context the spirit of the sport is just so powerful.
Other athletes, such as Adrian, grassroots clubs and passionate volunteers around the country are still driving water polo forward.
British water polo might be in crisis, but it certainly is not over. It could once again regain its place in the national sporting landscape, provided it had renewed recognition.
A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.
Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.
It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street.
Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie.
Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.
Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”
People in Romsey are being warned that the town’s recycling centre will be closing for a month for repairs.
The closure of Casbrook recycling centre will take place from 12 October to 12 November.
The council says that repairs are essential to keep the site safe, after heavy vehicles damaged the tarmac beneath waste containers.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are investing in essential improvements to preserve the surface of Casbrook HWRC (Bunny Lane) and ensure the facility continues to serve residents safely and effectively for many years to come.
“I thank residents for their patience during these works and confirm that capacity is available at nearby HWRCs to ensure residents that usually use Bunny Lane, can still dispose of their waste during this time.”
Locals have been advised to use alternative centres in Winchester and Eastleigh while the repairs take place.
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