Richard Crawley, Class of 1970

I studied Biochemistry (BSc) at Dundee University, then Immunology at London University (MSc). I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for Beechams and The Wellcome Foundation in and around London. In 1994, I moved to the USA with Wellcome and lived in Raleigh, North Carolina for much of the rest of my days. I spent four years in South East Asia, Singapore and Thailand, but returned to Raleigh to retire. I now play golf frequently and travel to new destinations when I can.

What initially drew you to water polo, and when did you start playing?

I was a keen swimmer at school and graduated into water polo as the Old Boys started a team and helped develop the sport at school. It was more interesting than just ploughing up and down lanes swimming and the guys who all began playing were great to be around and travel with.

How did you balance your academic and athletic commitments during your time as a student-athlete?

I was really lucky that I fell in with good groups both at school and uni who helped show the need to work, but also to play and relax. The right balance sort of happened as a result.

Can you share a memorable moment or game from your water polo career?

Two really: the moment we knew that the Old Boys were being promoted to Division 1 of the National Water Polo League, and diving into the water for my first international cap. But there were so many other moments along the way, shared with lifelong friends.

What specific skills or attributes do you think contributed most to your success in water polo?

I was quick in the water and big enough to hold my own against most. Over time, I think I read the game pretty well. Playing in goal as a secondary role during my career helped with that, I think – it gave me perspective of the whole field.

How did you overcome setbacks or failures along the way?

Water polo was important, but not a livelihood. It had its place in my life, but any setback was something to move on from quickly to get to the next good part. Plus, having a great group of guys around helped me move on.

Can you describe the camaraderie and team dynamics within your water polo team?

The original OMWA teams were the core of my life for so many years, playing, travelling, laughing, drinking! We got to know how each other played and interaction became second nature. Because at first we were a closed club, it built bonds that frankly never went away. We were, to some degree, the underdogs and so we had to pull together and we did. Not sure much else in my life comes close to the spirit we had together.

I think that the team encouraging me to go to Dundee and work under a coach they knew so well - David Barr - was key. He took me from an attacking role to primarily a defensive one, and I refined that learning and playing with Ian Marsh.

What changes would you like to see in the development of water polo, particularly at the grassroots level?

In general, make it more “professional” in the UK. I am not sure of the situation now, but water polo took a back seat to social swimming in the allocation of pool time when I was playing. It was not a problem at school, of course, but it was for many clubs. So pool time was limited to when the general public did not want to swim. Making more deep-water pools would also build the strength and abilities to compete with European teams. Really, in the UK, it is played as an amateur sport and if good players want to develop they have to go abroad – at least that was the case for most of my life.

What were some of the most memorable lessons you learnt from your water polo career?

Duck when someone swings at you! Ask Ian Marsh!! But seriously, life-work balance came from my career, the need to stay fit in mind and body. And how to get on in a team environment, relying not just on your abilities, but those of the people around you. All team sports played well give you this, for me it was water polo throughout my life.

How has your experience in water polo influenced your life beyond the pool?

Life was a balance, so it taught me to work hard and efficiently so I had time to dedicate to the sport. It has certainly taught me to identify those I can rely on, as well as making me give back. And to give as much as I can to whatever I am doing. Finally, it gave me the opportunity to settle better into a new life in the US as I was able to find a team here and I met people outside work with similar interests.