Salford student makes a splash in Serbia competing for Great Britain’s U18s Women’s Water Polo team

Emmie-Rose Eastwood, Eccles Sixth Form College BTEC Sport student, returns from Serbia triumphant after competing with Great Britain’s Under 18s Women’s Water Polo team.

The college student, who is currently in her second year of studying at Eccles, splits her time between playing professionally and her studies. She has travelled the world competing, with her most recent tournament taking her to Serbia.

Emmie, who was shortlisted this year as a finalist in the ‘Sports Achiever of the Year 2017’ category at the Believe Sports Awards in Wigan, was selected for the GB Team to compete in the European Championships, in Serbia. A competition against all the top teams in Europe.

The girls went on to not only qualify for the 2018 FINA World Championships, the world championships for aquatic sports, but also exceeded all expectations by finishing in the top six. No under 18s, women’s water polo team have had such success in over 17-years.

The team also finished above Russia, whose senior squad won the bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics – proving they can compete at the very highest level.

This isn’t the first success Emmie has had competing for the sport professionally. With the squad, she has won three out of three European tournaments in Slovakia, Malta and the Czech Republic, including bringing home the gold medal from the ESSA (English School Swimming Association) Water Polo Tournament in Malta last year.

When asked about how she balanced work and her sport, Emmie said: “My teachers at college are so supportive and go the extra mile to help. I have gained so much confidence and have travelled around the world to places like Hungary, Slovakia and Prague, and my team are like family.”

The sports enthusiast has been swimming competitively since she was nine, competing for Tyldesley Swimming Club and for Bolton Metro Swimming Squad. She eventually started playing water polo for Tyldesley Water Polo Club in their junior team and was recognised as a ‘young talent’ early on. By 13 she was playing nationally for their first team.

Emmie was then scouted for the City of Manchester Water Polo Squad – one of the best teams in the UK, and soon went on to contest in the England Talent Programme, with 184 other girls. From this, the talent was dwindled down and the 13-player GB team was eventually chosen, with Emmie making the cut.

If you are interested in joining the many successful sportsmen and women studying at Eccles Sixth Form College call admissions on 0161 631 5000.