The US College Connection Agency
Joel Leighton Water Polo
United Kingdom
Welcome I would like to apply to study and play water polo at University in the US because I am looking for a fresh challenge and an opportunity to combine study and sport in a way that will enable me to excel at both.
by Joel Leighton
I am currently in the sixth form, studying for A levels in Sociology, Psychology and English Language and would like to pursue an academic pathway based around these subjects and social sciences in general. I think of myself as being competent with schoolwork and able to keep to deadlines for hand in dates. I also feel I can maintain a good standard of work even when my life gets busy with extra curricular activities and other voluntary work both inside and outside of school. I feel this has given me an excellent sense of time management when balancing school work and sports commitments. I have played water polo for as long as I can remember as I come from a family immersed in the sport. My cousin Fran captained the GB women at London 2012 which was where I first had the idea to study in the US when I found myself sitting next to the mother of Annika Dries, one of the players on the US women's team. My cousin Richard was an outstanding member of the GB men's team and my mother was a member of the GB women's team for a number of years. My father and my uncle both played at a high level and now both coach and referee. I have wanted to pursue my dream of studying in the US ever since London 2012. I am currently the youngest player for the City of Sheffield senior Men's team in the British Water Polo League's top division where we are experiencing our first season playing at this level. My role in the team is the driver and I usually play position 4/5. My strengths are my strong legs and ability to accelerate for fast breaks and drives. I read the game really well and am considered to be an excellent playmaker. Many of our goals come from my assists. I am also a member of the GB under 19 squad and, in 2013, represented GB in the European Championships. In this squad I play centre back, which demonstrates my versatility in both attack and defence. I was selected for this position because of my strong legs, height and wingspan, and because I am level headed and don't get drawn into conflict in the pool.
Leighton STATS
#SportingElite
NCAA
GPA 3.2
TBC
SAT 1520 R
500
M
520
W
500
“Water Polo Player, Joel Leighton has proven himself to be an elite student athlete both domestically and internationally. With a history of commitment to both his studies and Water Polo he will be a valuable contributor to any collegiate institution.� - Rob Thomas (Sporting Elite) Joel Leighton: Sporting Elite - Water Polo, 3
Academic Achievements
High School: High Storrs School Location: Sheffield Water Polo Coach: Martin Kelly Year of Graduation: 2015 GCSE’s Biology - C Physics - C Chemistry - C Maths - B
Psychology - B Physical Education - B Drama - A* English - A
Sport’s Achievements Teams: Great Britain & Sheffield Position: Defender GB under 17s European Championships Istanbul 2013 GB under 19 squad currently preparing for European Champs 2016 Captain of North East regional under 18 side Currently playing for City of Sheffield senior men's A squad in the top division of the British Water Polo League member of Lancaster water polo club's age group team..voted MVP in 2014 Joel Leighton: Sporting Elite - Water Polo, 5
Reference
18 November 2014 Re Joel Leighton –City of Sheffield Water Polo Club Joel came through the academy of City of Sheffield Water Polo Club as a 9/10 year old , through all junior levels and is currently playing in the men’s A team in the British water polo league 1st division. I have been involved with coaching Joel at some point throughout this progression, have seen him progress to a GB youth and GB junior player and as senior head coach I am now directly is first line coach. Joel has an excellent attitude to learning and is hungry to improve all the time --whether that be from me as his coach or from his senior players. He is always attentive and acts quickly on feedback given. He is committed to training –never misses a session, is always on time and always gives of his best Joel has good technical ability. His leg strength and technique is very good and he has good mobility and core strength—giving him stability in his positioning and contributing to his high quality overall in passing / shooting and use of the ball Joel is an excellent defender. With his peers he is an outstanding centre back and is more than holding his own at senior level. He has a great temperament for this position –keeps his cool and matches his technique and talent with dogged persistence to gain position over the centre forward. I have however used Joel more as a driving player and /or winger this season and he has produced numerous assists and a good count of quality goals Joel has continuously improved year on year all the time I have coached him. I have no doubt whatsoever he is an outstanding player of the future and figures highly in my plans Martin Kelly Head Coach City of Sheffield water Polo Club
Tim Kendall, Head Coach GB Under-19 Men tim.kendall@tmwk.co.uk
24th November 2014 To whom it may concern, Re: Joel Leighton reference for Joel Leighton, who is a member of the Great Britain born-1997 water polo squad, building towards European competition in 2016: he was in the born-1995 and later squad, and represented his country in the born-1996 team in 2013. I have no hesitation in recommending Joel ion as a player and especially his skills as a centre back. It would be great if he were able to continue his development as a player and in this role in the United States. In 2013 in Turkey, Joel represented Great Britain in the Junior European Qualifiers in Turkey, for players born-1996 and later, specialising as a centreback. This year, with group (under 19) playing in Europe, he made a full contribution to the squad and was unlucky to just miss out on being in the team. 97 squad, he is shaping up to be one of key players: this group will be playing in the under 19 Europeans in 2016. He represents Sheffield in Division One of the British water polo league also gained excellent experience playing and training in Hungary and Croatia. Joel is dedicate ; he has very good fitness, legwork and technique. He is popular with his teammates and has a very supportive family. He has the attributes to develop into an outstanding senior player. Experience of training and playing in the US would be hugely beneficial from him as a player and as a person. Please do contact me with any questions related to this reference. Yours sincerely,
Tim Kendall +44 (0)7855 215 554 (m) +44 (0)20 7263 3361 (h) thkendall (Skype)
Joel Leighton: Sporting Elite - Water Polo, 7
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0JqR92p9CQ Template: SportingSporting Elite - Hockey, Joel Leighton: Elite - 9 Water Polo, 9
The US College Connection Agency
Company: Sporting Elite USA Directors: Rob Thomas and Ben Smith Web: www.sportingeliteusa.com Email: info@sportingeliteusa.com Phone: +44 20 8337 9737