Aarav Ganguli, Class of 2023

I left Trinity last year and I’m currently studying Modern Languages and Linguistics at the University of Warwick.

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

I joined Trinity as a keen swimmer and cricket player, but as someone who has always preferred team sports to individual sports, water polo served as a good bridge between the two sports that I played.

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

The support that was on offer from teachers and coaches while I was at school was incredible. It allowed me to stay on top of work and pay the necessary attention to my academics, while also ensuring that I was having fun outside the classroom.

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

A moment that will stay with me forever will be winning the U18 national title in my last year at the school, as well as winning the U15 national title two years in a row.

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

As a goalkeeper, I would argue that the most important attribute that helped me was having clear and practical communication in order to control the defence, and to (try to) help with the attack in any way possible.

How did you overcome setbacks or failures along the way?

As a keeper, a mistake could have been the difference between winning and losing in such a short game. It always helped me to know that I had the support of my teammates, and that they believed in me, and that helped me to do the same.

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

Playing school water polo was always an extremely enjoyable experience, as the team was always very supportive and worked hard for each other.

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

I would never have been able to achieve anything that I managed to if it wasn’t for Mr King and Mr Marsh. From having never played the sport before, to playing in various different places at a high level, I never would have thought it was possible without the support of Mr King and Mr Marsh, and any other coaches I’ve had along the way.

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

I think one area that would help water polo to become a more popular sport in the UK would be to make it more open to the public. I feel that it is quite an easy game to understand at a basic level, but there is not a lot of access to it. For example, I didn’t even know it existed as a sport before I came to Trinity, so I think more awareness about the sport would definitely be a step in the right direction.

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

Being part of such a close team at school, and in other water polo teams, has allowed me to make really strong connections in various situations that I don’t think I would have found myself in without having played the sport.