Chris Bommer - Back. "Bruiser, stopper, brick wall,
amoral with regard to rules, and generally good chap.". Chris started
Octopush at Imperial College in 1968, four years after completing his postgraduate
course. Played for the IC team which came 3rd in the National Championships in
1972. Probably the oldest player on the planet!
Rob Clow - Back. An accountant by day, and one of the most
capable goal-stoppers around, Rob unwinds by pursuing a variety of outdoor activities,
including caving, squash, sailing, diving, and skiing.
Andy
Dalton - Forward. Andy started playing Underwater Hockey at Chesham.
As a forward he soon picked up a name "Top Goal". Any was
head-hunted by Watford for the price of a beer. He now plays under his personal
fitness trainer and coach, Robert Pinfield.
Mary Harrington - Back. A formidable defender, and project engineer for Martin
Baker, maker of aeroplane ejector seats.
Also plays for London Ladies.
Pauline Head - Left Wing. A keen horse rider, and mother of two young children, Pauline is known to her colleagues as "Snakehips" for her ability to turn quickly in very tight spaces. Rumours also abound about her possible career as a calendar model . . .
Valerie Lofty - Right Wing. Secretary of the club, Valerie is
a keen horse rider and a partner in "Croxley Divers" dive shop. Croxley
Divers can be contacted on 01923 777700, via fax on 01923 896299 or via email at dla@croxleydivers.co.uk. Also plays Wing for London Ladies.
Paul Spiller - Centre / Wing / Back. Known best for his
charges through from the back of the pack, Paul is a formidable player. An
electrician by day, and computer games addict by night, Paul has been hampered recently by
persistent ankle problems which kept him out of the game for a few months. He now
back and, despite the fact that he has passed on much of the organisation of the Watford
Octopush Club to Pete Hollingbery, his in-depth knowledge of the game makes him still
generally regarded as the Club's Captain/Coach.
Mike Stanley - Centre. An accountant by day, Mike comes from a dedicated Octopush
family, as his sister, Sue Coles, is the captain and driving force of the London Ladies
club.
Peter Hollingbery - Centre. A mechanical
engineering graduate, and an explosive force on the playing field, Peter has worked in
whatever field the work has taken him. Telecommunications Engineer, exploration drilling -
you name it, Pete's done it. A keen SCUBA diver, Pete recently spent a couple of weeks in
the Scilly Isles, but between dives he keeps himself busy with golf, squash, mountain
biking, and playing around with Microsoft Access. Peter can be contacted by email at Peter.Hollingbery@asn.alcatel.co.uk.
Also plays for Chesham.
Paul Biggin - Forward. Wood machinist by trade, and the secretary of the
South-East group of the Marine Conservation Society.
An active snorkel instructor and diver, and keen underwater photographer, Paul takes part
in underwater surveys, both in the UK and abroad.
Steve Cox - Forward. An enthusiastic open-water diver and fisherman, Steve is a
talented graphic artist. As well as Octopush, Steve also plays golf and squash, and is a
keen mountain-biker.
Mark Sullivan -
Left Forward. Good in any position, Mark is a tenacious player with the
added edge of being left-handed. Mark is a former member of the Portsmouth
University Octopush Club. Had a claim to fame for a while as being the only male
member of the London Ladies, his
nearest club, but now has to share the ladies with Ralph and Phil. Mark also plays
for Chesham where his goal-scoring
talents are much appreciated. After playing at University is now delighted to be
playing with winners for a change.
Jane
Fahy (nee Sloan) - arrived in England in 1990 and never meant to stay this
long. She has spent a lot of time travelling using England as a base.
NZ Underwater Hockey representative 1987-1992 inclusive, Jane was also part of the 1998
World Championship team. She started playing Octopush at school and played in 1st
School Nationals and went on to coach a schools team and edit the Wellington
magazine. Within the UK she has played for Hampstead, Putney and now Watford.
Between 1992 and 1998 she was a member of the Yorkshire Women's Team.
She works for the American firm, Costco, and, apart from being a player of note is
particularly valued as supplier of restorative club 'munchies' after gruelling club-night
sessions.
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