National Water-Polo Call-ups

It has been an exciting few months for water polo at Bolton School. Over the course of the Autumn Term, a number of the school’s water-polo players have been called up to national teams.

Over the half-term break, Sixth Form student Harry Bentham and his brother, Old Boy Daniel Bentham (Class of 2021), were part of the Great Britain Team who attended a training camp in Hannover, Germany. They were accompanied by coach Mr McGinty, who said of the camp: ‘It was a really productive week for the team and an important experience as we continue our preparation for the European U19 Qualifiers in May 2022.’

Year 13 students Harry Bentham and James Blenkinship were selected to represent the England Junior Water Polo team, which entered the EU Nations ‘National Senior Team’ competition in Brno, Czech Republic at the end of November. The team made a top eight finish! Two Old Boys also competed in the England Senior Team at this competition: Lewis Daly (Class of 2015) and Junior Boys’ teacher Mr Winstanley (Class of 2015).

Younger players Robert Bentham in Year 10 and Joe Carolan in Year 11 have been selected for the U17 England Water Polo squad. In addition, at the end of November, this pair helped the North West U16 team to victory at an inter-regional competition held in Walsall. The team was coached by Boys’ Division teacher and water polo coach Dr Yates.

Water polo has also been taking off more and more in the Girls’ Division in recent years and this is reflected in girls’ involvement in the sport this term.

Last month Harriet Dickens, a Year 11 pupil, captained the England U17 water-polo team at the EU Nations Junior Women’s Water Polo Tournament, held in Brno. The team secured fourth place in the competition.

The Girls’ Division has also been represented at the British National League: Kate Teasdale (Class of 2010) and Year 9 pupils Lucy Blenkinship and Amelia Crompton played for Tyldesley and Harriet Dickens for Manchester at a recent Division 1 game. Ella Carter, also in in Year 11, plays for the Manchester Comets and has been a regular national league player this season.