Colin Gasper named Head Coach of U17 and U19 Women Water Polo squads

Colin Gasper has been named the new Head Coach of both the U17 and U19 Women’s national Water Polo teams.

He will begin work with both squads with immediate effect as both teams build towards their European campaigns.

Colin is an experienced coach who has spent more than 10 years in America at a number of clubs whilst competing in various competitions including the Junior Olympics.

After coming to England in 2020 he has recently taken over as Head Coach of the Men’s Water Polo team at the University of Oxford.

Colin will head up both squads throughout 2023 before turning his attention fully to the U19 squad that he will lead until the completion of their European campaign in 2024.

He will join an exciting team of coaches that have already been working with both teams to start off the current season.

‘An amazing culture’

After taking over the team, Colin spoke of his excitement to be working with such a talented group of players.

He said: “I am very excited to oversee the development of our women’s U17 and U19 squads.

“The culture here is amazing thanks to a great group of parents, team managers, and assistant coaches as well as the other national team coaches who I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting

“We have U17 and U19 European Championships in consecutive years and members of this current squad have the potential to participate in both.

“Therefore, I am looking forward to spending the next two years developing championship contenders by competing with the best teams at home and abroad.

“They are a very talented group of individuals with a great understanding of the game.  Pair that with an ethos of ‘stronger together’, selflessness, and a desire to train with their teammates so strong that they’ll travel across the country to do so and you have the makings of a perfect team.”

After his experiences in America, Colin is eager to support the growth of the sport in this country.

“Water polo has been one of the fastest growing sports in America due to the value it offers participants and my goal is to bring that same enthusiasm over here through collaboration with school and club coaches.

“There is such strong support for water polo in this country and I’m eager to do my part to support its continued growth.

“I am working to arrange as many matches as possible for our girls to get experience playing together.

“I’ve been in touch with a number of clubs to arrange some tournaments in between Super 5s and the championships and we hope to have some dates arranged to start off the new year soon.”