A memorial water polo match organised by Spalding Water Polo Club has raised £1,803.75 for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of club member Jack Carpenter.
The inaugural Jack Carpenter Memorial Cup took place at Bourne Outdoor Pool on Saturday, bringing together current and former players, friends and family to remember Carpenter and support a cause connected to his battle with cancer.
Carpenter died earlier this year after battling cancer. He was remembered not only for his contribution as a club member, but also for helping shape the future of Spalding Water Polo Club.
A lasting contribution to Spalding water polo
Among Carpenter’s key achievements was creating the club’s junior section. The initiative encouraged young players to take up water polo and develop their skills.
Several of those junior players later went on to represent other clubs, while others became important members of Spalding’s first team. The club said the memorial event reflected the legacy he built through both his work with young players and his wider contribution to the sport.
Money for The Brain Tumour Charity was raised through donations and a raffle held as part of the day.
Sharks edge close contest
The memorial match brought former and current players together in two teams: the Spalding Sharks and the Spalding Orcas.
The Sharks were captained by Steve Rogers and included returning players Ed Martin, James Scotney and John Teesdale, alongside current squad members Matt Papworth, James Seymour, Paul Greenslade, Harry Bumfrey, Dave Lord and Gareth Lord.
The Orcas, led by Tim Shields, featured former players Tom Carpenter, Jon Davis, James Teesdale and Adam Sellers, joined by current club members Tom Norfolk, John James, Joe Scotney, Nathan Henfrey and Mark Le Sage.
Played in front of a strong crowd, the match remained closely fought before the Sharks won 13-12. The low evening sun created difficult conditions for both goalkeepers as the teams changed ends, while the physical contest showed that several returning players retained their competitive edge.
James Scotney was the Sharks’ leading scorer with six goals. Gareth Lord and Harry Bumfrey each scored three, while Ed Martin added one.
For the Orcas, John James scored four goals. Nathan Henfrey, Tim Shields and Tom Carpenter each scored twice, with Adam Sellers and Joe Scotney also finding the net once.
Club hopes to make cup an annual event
Following the success of the first tournament, Spalding Water Polo Club hopes to establish the Jack Carpenter Memorial Cup as an annual fixture.
The club’s plan is for the event to be held on the first Saturday of August each year. Members described the match as a fitting tribute to Carpenter, combining the sport and club he worked hard to develop with fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity.