A Bit of History
For a more detailed history of the club go to:
http://www.gbuwh.co.uk/club.php?club_id=28
The senior Club was formed in 1978 as an addition to the Snorkelling Club where most of the early members had learned their skills as juniors.
We also attracted adult members from the local Milnrow (now Rochdale) Sub-Aqua club. In 1984 Rochdale Underwater Hockey Club started as an offshoot and the Juniors took the name Rochdale Mantas, the Seniors became Rochdale Aquacrazies for a while.
The club agreed to join the British Octopush Association at its 3rd AGM held on 30 April 1990. We currently have 3 teams registered with BOA, Mantas U16 (No 126) Mantas U13’s (No 351) and Aquacrazies (No 235)
Underwater hockey grew more popular and more junior teams began to develop and play locally. In the early days there were few teams in Lancashire, so Rochdale joined the Yorkshire Underwater Hockey League and played competitive matches against the likes of Sheffield Stingrays, Hoyland Sharks, Batley Argonauts, Sawston Piranhas, Huddersfield Sharks, Farnham Flippers, Thames Valley, and Cliff Park Pikes.
After initially using the small pool at Rochdale baths, and then Gaskell pool at Heywood, the club moved to Oulder Hill School in 1982 where the Juniors remain today. The Senior team moved to Manchester Aquatics Centre in 2006 when Oulder Hill was temporarily closed for refurbishment.
Over the years, members have taken part in several TV programmes promoting the sport, most notably Look North West and Granada Reports in 1989, Don’t Just Sit There in 1990 and It Ain't Cricket in 1991.
In 1999, Ex-member Keith Dunkinson was elected Chairman of BOA.
One member who was Junior team Captain in 2001, Mark Dawson, led the under 16's team to become Yorkshire League Champions in 2002 and achieved second place in the UK National Championships. The same year 2002, he was selected to play for the England under 19 squad in the World Championships held in Calgary, Canada, where he became part of the Gold Medal award winning team.
Another member, Janet Robinson was chosen to compete with Europe's best for the England squad in Yugoslavia in 2001. Janet has also served as BOA Secretary.
Janet and Mark were subsequently selected for the England squads playing in the 2004 World Championships in New Zealand and were joined by two other members, Adam Morris and Jonny Bostock.
Zach Tait was selected for the GB under 19's squad in 2014 and has played in Spain at their international tournament. More recently Zach and Rebecca Northover have also been selected to play for Team GB in the World Championships at Hobart in July 2017