Warley amateur swimming club was founded with the opening of Rolfe Street Baths on 7th May 1888 and following a public meeting that month, Smethwick swimming club was formed and the first general meeting held on June 18th 1888.
Smethwick Swimming Club quickly became an important part of the sporting scene within the area and by 1900 had become part of the Smethwick Recreative and Athletic Association (SR & AA).
The water polo section was formed in 1895 and by the end of the century was winning honours in the newly formed Birmingham and District Water Polo League.
In the early years, Smethwick Swimming Club was strongly connected with Mirchells and Butlers whose own swimming club functioned as a sub-section of Smethwick Swimming Club. Both Mr Mitchell and Mr Butler were active members of the Smethwick Club Committee.
Initially, club membership was open to men only but membership was soon open to ladies as well, although it took until 1911 for the first mixed swimming gala to be held.
An extract from the original rules of Smethwick Swimming Club gives its objective as being "to promote the art of swimming, floating, diving and plunging." Smethwick Swimming Club always took seriously its responsibility for providing swimming opportunities for its members and a professional instructor, Mr A Sheldon, was first engaged in 1903.
The club has enjoyed much success throughout its' 123 year history, from local success through to Olympic success and representation at GB level at water-polo, both junior and senior level. Throughout the 50's under coach Bert Owen, 60's, 70's and 80's (under coaches Andy Wilson and Bernard Charles) Warley WASPS dominated the Midlands top competitions and proved year after year they were one of the premier clubs, not just in the Midlands, but in the country.
Above is the Ladies and Mens Warley teams from 1951. If anyone can shed any light into any of the swimmers or the coach, please use the 'FORUM' or email the club.
We at Warley WASPS are very proud of our past history and have tried to piece together a list of honours the club and swimmers of the club have achieved. This will be updated as and when new (or old) material is found from the archives. Below are some of the clubs highs and lows:
East Midlands League - One of the Founder Members
1967- Division 1 Champions
1968-1982 Division 1 Champions/Finalists
1983 Relegated to Division 2
1984 Relegated to Division 3
West Midlands League
Joined Pre 1975
1976 Division 2 Runner Up Promoted to Division 1
1977 Division 1
1979 Relegated to Division 2
1982 Division 2 Runners Up Promoted to Division 1
1983 Relegated to Division 2
1984 Relegated to Division 3
1985-2008 Division 3
Worcester Winter League
1975 Champions
1976 Champions
1977 Champions
1978 Champions
1979 Champions
1980 Champions
1981 Champions
1982 Champions
Worcester County Founders Prize - Awarded for outstanding contribution within the Worcestershire region.
1968 Avis Willington
1969 Avis Willington
1970 Avis Willington
1971 Avis Willington
1972 Avis Willington
2003 Alex Parsonage
2009 Graham Harrington
Avis Willington represented Great Britain at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
Alex Parsonage represented Great Britain at both Junior and Senior level water-polo. Will be in 2012 London Olympic squad.
Graham Harrington represented Great Britain at junior level water-polo.
Vicki Hawkins also represents Great Britain for water-polo. Current member hoping to make 2012 London Olympics
(Both Alex and Graham are still involved with their respective GB squads - current to Dec 2011)
Worcester County Express Cup Division 1
1975 Champions
1976 Champions
1977 Champions
1978 Champions
1979 Champions
Worcester Counties & Midland Districts
1977 14 Swimmers achieved a total of 35 Midland District times, the biggest entry in the Midlands
1982 58 Medals won at Worcester Counties, 33 Midland District times recorded and 6 National Times.
Nottingham 100 Gala - Clubs over 100 years old competing.
2001 Champions
2002 Champions
2003 Champions
Nuneaton and District Junior League
1978 Division 2 Runners Up Promoted to Division 1
1979 - 1985Division 1
1985 Relegated to Division 2
1986 Relegated to Division 3
1987-1996 Division 3
1997 Relegated to Division 4
1998-1999 Division 4
2000 Runner Up Division 4 Promoted to Division 3
2001 4thPlace Division 3 Final Promoted to Division 2
2002 5thPlace Promoted to Division 1
2003 Relegated Division 2
2004 Relegated Division 3
2005 Division 3
2006 Division 3 Champions
2007 Division 2
2008 Relegated to Division 3
2009-2010 Division 3
2011 Division 3 Finalists 6thPlace.
Throughout the re-building of the early 2000's, Warley WASPS swimmers, again, after some 15 years, were achieving Midland District and National Times. This was achieved through the help of Marc Soulsby (ex-Oldbury), who joined in the October of 1999 as Junior Coach, and Roger Soulsby, who joined in 2000 (again, ex-Oldbury, who brought much success to Oldbury throughout the 1990's).
Marc left in November 2005, to coach at Stourbridge Swimming Club, but returned in September 2009, with a view to re-build from the base upwards. The 'Learn To Swim' programme was the priority and the National Teaching Plan was implemented. This part of the club, including its dedicated teaching staff, was then, (early in 2010) passed into the capable hands of Tim Beddowes, one of our Level 2 Teachers. The LTSP, has now exploded into life, with qualified teachers and helpers in all sections of the pool, and is now producing some quality swimmers.
Mid 2011 saw the return of Janet Evans to the junior coaching staff, she brought back much need help to an ever growing junior squad.
Further-more, December 2011 saw the return of Roger Soulsby (again, after 3 years of additional service with Oldbury), who was coaxed out of retirement, to help with the coaching of junior and senior sessions. We are currently (as of January 2012) looking to add to our coaching staff, to help the club grow into a vibrant teaching and competitive swimming club.
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As can be seen, Warley have won countless galas throughout the years, far too many to place on our website. We were a well renowned competitive club, winning local, national and even European galas and titles. Its also had its' fair share of Midland and National Champions, as well as Commonwealth Champions, Olympic representation, and were the number one team/squad in Sandwell, Worcester County and the Midlands.
As well as many highs, the club has experienced its' lows. It takes many, many years to build up a high reputation like Warley had, but only a few bad years to lose it.
Warley are currently re-building and with dedication of its 300+ members, there is no reason why we can't succeed and return to where the club belongs!