News

Matthias Madden (centre) with award presenter Fergus Feeney and BBC sports presenter Mike Bushell.

Former KES water polo captain, Matthias Madden (2017), has been named the Men's Water Polo Player of the Year at the British Swimming Awards 2018.

Matt, who captained Great Britain's U19 men's team to their first full European competition in a decade, was presented with the award at the ceremony held at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester on 17 November 2018.

Great Britain's U19s became the first British men's side to reach a European Water Polo Championships in 10 years after a thrilling qualification weekend in front of a sell-out crowd in Manchester in May 2018.

Following a win, draw and loss in their three qualifying matches (the latter against the eventual championship winners, Greece) a positive goal difference propelled the team to the European Championships in Minsk, Belarus from 26 August to 2 September 2018, where, after some close and exciting matches, the team finished in 16th place.

Matt was also part of the triumphant Solihull Water Polo Club team who achieved 'the double' in 2018, winning the top division of the British Water Polo League and then taking the title at the British Championships in June 2018.

Matt, who was chosen for the award via a public vote, said: "It feels like all the training and effort that I've been putting in over the past few years has really paid off, and also the support of my family and friends and coaches."

Watch Matt's winner's interview on the British Swimming website.