Mr Green announced as the ESSA President Elect

At last Saturday’s English Schools Swimming Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) Mr Green was announced as the ESSA President Elect which means that he will be ESSA President in January 2024 for the year.

Mr Green said;

"It is a tremendous honour to be considered for such a prestigious role and one that I will take great pleasure and pride in. In 2024 the ESSA will celebrate its 75^th Anniversary which will be a wonderful recognition of all the hard work that countless teachers and volunteers have provided over many years. Swimming, and water polo in particular have been a huge part of my life which still remains the case to this very day."

Although Mr Green spends a little less time on the Alleyn’s poolside he still thoroughly enjoys coaching the U18 girls team through their competition phase each year. Prior to Mr Green joining Alleyn’s all the way in 2003 he was the Youth Women’s Great Britain Head Water Polo Coach. He has been involved with the English Schools Swimming Association since 2003 where he helped to build on the existing Girls Divisional Water Polo competitions into a complete equitable offer to the boys provision with a full competition schools programme for girls. Mr Green has been the ESSA Honorary Water Polo Secretary/Organiser for all School water polo competitions across the country since 2016.

Alleyn’s Water Polo has had much success over the years. In 1980 the U19 boys were national champions, whilst during the last 12 years Alleyn’s has achieved no less than 10 national titles. Many pupils from Alleyn’s have represented their country which we’re all very proud of. Miss Ody and Mr Bone lead an outstanding water polo programme in school with around 120 pupils training every week.

A brief history of the ESSA:

The English Schools Swimming Association was formed in 1949, initially organising swimming and diving championships for pupils in secondary schools.  Over the years water polo and synchronised swimming championships have been added to the list, and for the past ten years the team championships have been extended to primary schools.   Added to the full domestic programme there are also internationals competitions both in swimming and water polo.  ESSA is a member of the International Schools’ Federation and competes in both the World Schools’ Games and European Games.

ESSA’s organisation was based on 12 divisions (or regions) and control of all events is in the hands of the ESSA Council.  This band of volunteers meets regularly to plan competitions and set rules.  Each division has control of its own competitions and there are a large number of events held throughout the country.

Apart from organising championships ESSA’s function is to promote the teaching of swimming in schools.  Most members of Council are or have been teachers and understand the problems facing teachers of swimming.  One of the schemes ESSA runs to encourage the  teaching of swimming is the Dolphin Trophy, a learn to swim scheme for primary schools.  ESSA has links with the ASA, Lifesavers and the STA. ESSA became a charity in May 1981.  Prince William agreed to become our Patron in May 2007 and the ESSA are part of the Pirnces’ Charities Forum. In 2010 the ESSA Council agreed to move from 12 to 8 Divisions. This became operative in September 2011.