Phil Hallwood - President
Phil joined the Poly as part of a small group of players from Belfast in 1975, initially studying chemistry in London which looked like it was going to be a lot of hard work. Convinced by quickly formed friendships in the University, he soon switched to medicine at London Hospital (LH) and, like many students at the time, his studies were a second priority after waterpolo. While waiting for the next academic year to begin, Phil took to his motorbike couriering all over London, from places like Harley Street to Hackney, to fund his life and future studies.
In the pool Phil was an enthusiastic junior in the Poly circles, but he swiftly worked his way from the Poly 4th team to the first team, while at the same time playing for the London University (ULU) and LH teams. It was a time of much frivolity and Phil was often at the centre of it, particularly on tours to places like Barcelona, Paris, Gronau, and less romantic places like Blackpool with the University team. Phil was honoured to be the founding member of “Xville”, a dodgy council flat in Burgess Street in the East End, a stones throw from leading Financiers of today, where many an over-the-top party took place with his fellow medics, nurses and dentists, as well as his waterpolo flatmates. It was definitely a time of “Ain’t no stopping us now”, in all senses.
Paul Sivey re-christened him “Punchbag” after a few night club incidents, which left Phil battered and bruised, having taken issue with customers or bouncers and come off second best. Later this was shortened to “Punchy” after a further series of heated encounters with the opposition, or occasionally even his own team members. However, in the water, he was most known for his defensive qualities and overview of everything going on in the game. He was often the leader of “iggly-wiggly” discussions during and after games when many of his fellow players had already swiftly forgotten, or chosen to forget, the goings on. The referees of course loved Punchy and always respected his words of encouragement during games, or in the bar afterwards.
While not the first Poly player to visit Australia he was the one who firmly established the bond with City Beach in Perth one British winter, and on one occasion “taught the future president Billy Ramsay how to use a knife and fork”. He was nevertheless instrumental in establishing a flow of Poly and other British players to the club.
Until the late 80s, personal successes were multiple, including appearances in the England team, and being part of the GB and British University squads. Injuries like broken ribs often hampered his participation in some tournaments but, after a successful playing career, he coached the squad in some of the great seasons when Jerry Birmingham and Jez Sherman were playing at the top of their games. Over the period 1985-94, with Punchy’s oversight and vein-pulsing direction, Poly won the National League 7 times; numerous British Cups and ASA Cups; and had some further memorable tours to Europe with Phil as coach. Sometimes the cerebral capacity of the players to understand what was obvious to him proved a challenge; but he was also good at delivering blunt messages: “the drunks can warm up behind the goal” being one unforgotten line. His generosity, hospitality and desire to include the good guys ensured Poly stayed a tightly knit group of players over this period.
Stories go that his hospitality included accommodating Jez breaking into his flat to recover the ASA Cup (for a brief showing at the final to Sutton, before then being returned), looking after “stray Africans”, and writing off his BMW in Holland in the name of the team. There might have been a trip to South Africa around this time which Phil might have been on, but there is no record of such an event, even though it was alleged in the Evening Standard.
Punchy did not need any motivation to participate in discussions over a pint, and was well known for his ability to tell a story, often with mild elaboration. Indeed some of this rubbed off on others and, at times, it seemed the whole team relished the tours, the stories, and the over-exaggeration of our successes. This was especially necessary when discussing our exploits in the Europa cup. Together with Jogi Hagemann, Phil forged the close bond between the Poly and Gronau teams. The “East Enders”, including John Littleton, upheld international relations with pride and Phil could entertain at the away tournaments no matter who the audience.
In the midst of this time Phil furthered his academic record by qualifying with an MBA from London Business School, to add to his medical qualifications. Having passed on the baton in Xville to those following in his wake, he moved to Highgate, which was more fitting with his ambitions and, during the 1990s, he built a very successful business in the Pharmaceuticals industry.
Phil’s passion for sport and speed, whether cycling, skiing or driving, led to him falling victim to injuries, especially from bicycle accidents. Despite this, and while building a family, he always maintained close links with the club through thick and thin, backing the coaches, attending many of the matches and weekend tournaments, and helping to shape solutions to the club’s persistent problems in finding suitable pools to play in. Importantly he also became most generous with funding in times of need, and he has now been President of the club for several years. As President he has always been active, pushing for progress and putting his heart into the well being of the club. One example of Phil’s generosity allowed the team to return to European competition for the first time in 25 years in Istanbul in 2023.
Like many, Phil has the Poly “bug” and consistently promotes the “all-for-one” philosophy of the team, while making sure that old friends are taken care of in times of need. In many ways Phil has successfully filled the holes left by Len Hatton and Neil May of the previous generation, thus helping to secure the future of the club. Together with James Reddick, Phil made a significant contribution to ensuring that Poly survived the lean times to get back to the top of the British waterpolo pyramid.
Stephen McCartney June 2024