Tilda Williams, Class of 2015

I went to Bristol University to study Philosophy, after which I started a two-year grad scheme in 2018 at Lloyds Bank, working in financial markets. I went on to work in digital banking at Lloyds and last year I took a sabbatical to travel the world.

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

What initially drew me was my hatred of swimming training as a kid and my love of ball sports. I started when I was about eight because my dad was part of the men’s team at Beckenham so he took me along one day. I found it much less gruelling than swimming training and really enjoyed the team aspect.

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

Naps. You need at least an hour nap a day to make it work. I remember spending many afternoons in the nurse’s office during my time at Trinity, sleeping off the early morning training so I didn’t keep nodding off in class.

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

My favourite moment was definitely beating Serbia to qualify for Worlds at the European Championships in Rome in 2015. I had spent years training with the same GB team and it was a huge moment when all the sacrifice felt like it had paid off.

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

I think going the distance with a sport requires blind determination and the ability to overcome setbacks. It was never my intention for it to go anywhere, I just loved training and the rest followed.

How did you overcome setbacks or failures along the way?

I have had my fair share of failures, being dropped a week before my age group’s European Championships was difficult.

Overcoming setbacks like that and trying again the next year define you so much more than the years you walk into a team.

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

I would describe it as serious but silly. We all put everything into training, but had a laugh doing it. I have made some lifelong friends through water polo.

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

They’re pivotal. I had one particular coach that had a real impact on me and led me to achieve goals I didn’t think possible. I have also had some absolute stinkers. A coach can make or break your experience of a sport, so don’t be put off if you have one you don’t quite gel with. Another team or coach might be what you need to ignite your love for a sport.

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

More funding, more space for teams to train, and more coverage of the sport. It’s an extremely demanding sport and great for fitness on every level. I think every school should teach it.

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

Failure is essential for success. Keep on trying at things and you’ll eventually get there.

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

Playing water polo has been the single most defining thing I have done in my whole life. It got me into university. It got me my grad job. Properly applying myself to the sport has followed me into all aspects of my life.