Olympian Craig Figes to share his views on water polo's future at Q&A session

Olympian Craig Figes is to take part in a Q&A session discussing his career and his vision for the future of water polo

Figes, who captained the GB men’s water polo team at the London 2012 Olympic Games and was recently recruited to the Swim England Water Polo Leadership Group as coaching lead, will share his views on Friday 16 April at 7pm.

He made his England and GB U20 international debut in 1992 at the age of 13 and has had an extensive career, playing in Australia, Spain and Italy.

Figes also has significant coaching experience and has been head coach at City of Bristol Water Polo since 2012, where he has spent time rebuilding the junior and ladies’ squads and increasing participation throughout the club.

The Q&A session will be co-hosted by the Water Polo leadership Group’s volunteering lead Ben McDonald, who is also a water polo tutor, and Elliott McHugh, the former U19 player and Swim England National Youth Panel vice-chairman.

Very inspiring

The discussion will cover a wide range of topics, starting with his inspirational playing career – which reached its pinnacle at London 2012 – and his coaching philosophy, including how he has increased participation in water polo in Bristol.

Toby King, the Swim England Water Polo Leadership Group chairman, said: “As we all prepare to get back in the pool after such a prolonged absence from training, it will be great to hear Craig’s experience of competing at the highest level and sharing his love of the sport after he hung up his hat.

“It should be very inspiring.”

The session is open to any member of Swim England aged 16 years or older, whether they are a player, coach, official, volunteer or parent.

Places can be booked by clicking here.