Sportsister catches up with Fran Leighton

It’s all go in the England water polo camp as the team put the finishing touches to their game, in preparation for the Hungarian National League. The girls are heading east to take on some of Europe’s premier water polo teams as they crank up the training programme in anticipation of London 2010.

While it may seem strange for our girls to travel all the way to Hungary to compete, you only need to look at China as a shining example. In 2008 they competed in the Australian National League, stormed through 16 of their 18 matches and went on to create quite a stir at the Olympics. Here’s hoping England will enjoy similar success and there’s no doubting the team are hungry for victory (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun…)

The team would normally have a lot longer to get ready for the season but competing in the Hungarian league has meant their training schedule has come hurtling forward. Talking to Fran Leighton, the excitement is obviously bubbling for the upcoming tournament and while it’s a case of stepping into the unknown, it’s a jump they’re all too happy to take.

“We have no real idea of what it’ll be like. We’ve played the Hungarian national team but having the players split up will mean a complete mix of players and matches. Everyone’s really excited and after the first weekend we’ll have more of an idea what we’re up against and take it forward from there.”

So how do the team feel about having to go abroad to get the opportunities they need to improve? Leighton believes it’s exactly what the team needs: “We have got to be realistic about the state of water polo in the UK at the moment, and going abroad is exactly what we need to do. Obviously it would be great if our own league could pick up so we could stay with our club sides and see really competitive games there, but for 2012, this is what we should be doing.”

The girls will be travelling to Hungary on a regular basis over the coming months, and living your life in fortnightly cycles can definitely put the pressure on – certain commitments have to go on the backburner but luckily for Leighton, her employers (Manchester City Council) are very understanding towards her water polo career. “My boss is absolutely brilliant and really supportive. A lot of us have had to make sacrifices, not ones we don’t want to make, but we have to accept we’re not going to be around for every birthday or every housewarming. Your good friends are understanding and realise that this is what you want to be doing.”

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Water Polo: 2010 Len European water polo championships qualifying

Water Polo: Great Britain victorious in final

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While the Hungarian teams have had the pick of the bunch, water polo has never seemed to enjoy that same level of success here in the UK. “I’ve never really understood why that is. I think in Hungary the sport is really embraced, and people aren’t just focused on swimming. People realise that not everyone can be a top swimmer so all the clubs do water polo as well. I’d love it if we could have half the success water polo has in Hungary here in Britain.”

“Hopefully water polo is beginning to reach people’s sporting radar – I don’t think it’ll be a quick process but it’s in the national teaching plan and if we can get the swimming clubs to do a bit of mini polo then hopefully these little things can make a big difference. As much as anything else, I’d just love for more people to enjoy the sport.”

London 2012 will be a big stepping stone for water polo and a good performance in home waters may well be exactly the kind of exposure the sport needs. “It’s going to be a massive event and a big challenge. Most of us have never been in that kind of arena before so we’re really hoping we can do well to repay all the hard work we’ve done. If 200 people watch us in 2012 and think, ‘oh, I’ll want to give it a go’ then that’s an extra 200 people water polo has. The Olympics is going to be a huge deal.”

Looking over the horizon, what does the future hold for the sport? “I’d love it to be one of the top sports in the UK. It would be great to follow the same sort of path that the netball has taken, making it more accessible. I’d love it if in 10 years time, if you said water polo to someone, you wouldn’t then have to go and explain what it is. That would be amazing!”

So does water polo sounds like something you fancy? Fran gives us the low down on why everyone should give the sport a go…

What makes a good water polo player?

Anyone who is a competitive sports player and doesn’t mind getting stuck in. It’s a contact sport so you need to be willing to get really hands on. Anyone who’s looking for a great team sport would enjoy water polo as it’s really sociable and you meet lots of great people.

Are there any sports from which water polo might be a natural progression?

If you are already playing a sport where you have to be aware of other players it’s a great start. Similarly any sports where you have to have a level of spatial awareness are also good. As there’s a lot of ball handling, sports like netball and basketball lend themselves well to water polo. It helps if you’re a good swimmer as well!

How much of your training is done in the water and how much of it is done ‘on land’?

We spend between five and seven hours a week in the gym and then between 16 and 20 hours a week in the pool. Treading water means you have to be very fit.

What would you say to someone who was toying with the idea of starting water polo?

I would say definitely give it a go! It’s a great physical workout and the team element is amazing. You’ll meet loads of great people and have lots of fun whilst keeping fit.

Finally, what’s you favourite thing about water polo?

I just love being involved in a fast, evolving sport where you never really know how a match is going to go. That and the fact that there’s always something at training to make you laugh!

Kirsty Page, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine