Steve Leathwood, Class of 1997

After leaving Trinity, I went to Loughborough University to read Spanish and French Studies. There I continued with water polo, playing on the team that won the British University championships and playing on the GB student team in 2002.

Since then, I have moved to Thailand where I work as Cruise Director on a scuba diving liveaboard vessel, running trips through remote destinations in Thailand and into Myanmar. I also teach all courses from Beginner through to Instructor level, and have recently received recognition for 20 years as a professional diving instructor. I still play water polo whenever I can, playing for Guam and a Shanghai club team in tournaments throughout Asia. I play for Croydon in local league games and in the British Water Polo League when I visit family in the UK each summer.

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

I started playing at 10 years old in my first year at Trinity when Ian Marsh invited all the new pupils who were known competitive swimmers to try water polo. I loved it from the first moment.

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

To be honest, my time was always heavily skewed in favour of sports, to the despair of my teachers!

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

I remember playing in the England U16 Schools Team with Daniel Bentley. At over 6ft 4in, I was the biggest player on our team, yet the same size as our smallest South African opponent.

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

I think being a “lefty” helped me greatly, together with my size. I remember being 13 years old and playing for the Southern Counties team at Pond’s Forge in Sheffield, and the coach saying to me ‘’You’re big, go in the pit’’, which is what started my journey as a centre forward.

How did you overcome setbacks or failures along the way?

At one point I injured my throwing hand, playing against Birmingham in the British University Finals. I split the webbing between two fingers, and had to leave the water to get stitches. I remember being devastated at not being able to finish the game, but was back in the water within days, playing with the fingers taped together because I hated the idea of having to sit out.

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

It is wonderful being able to rely on different players who specialise in different parts of the game - the speed swimmers, the very strong defenders, the playmakers and the shooters - while knowing that all of your team are more than capable of playing any of those roles. I still play now with several players I know from my time at Trinity, and see others in local matches around London.

What role did your coaches play in your development as a water polo player?

I am very grateful to Ian Marsh for getting me into water polo. His ‘’roll, look, give him the pass’’ and several regular choice comments have stuck with me through the years. I have played for more than 20 years under some coaches, and the fact they know your strengths and weaknesses can really be helpful for bringing out the best in each player.

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

I would like to see water polo given a more equal footing with swimming, particularly with funding. It is hard to see the two sports having to compete against each other.

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

Teamwork, focus, commitment, dedication. These sound very clichéd, but are all equally relevant.

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

Before water polo, I was heavily involved in competitive swimming. Water polo rekindled my interest in being in the water, to the extent that I still love to play whenever I get the opportunity. Oddly, I think it is strongly responsible for the career path I have followed, which has taken me from the pool to the open ocean.