News
Prince William attends the English Schools' Swimming Association's Water Polo Championships in Walsall
10th May 2008
Prince William officially 'dropped the ball' to start a schools water polo tournament today and spoke of his passion for the sport from his school days.
He was greeted by throngs of people on his first royal visit to the West Midlands.
The Prince was attending the English Schools' Swimming Association's (ESSA) 2008 Water Polo Championships at the Walsall Gala Baths, Walsall, West Midlands.
He became the Patron of the ESSA last year and today marked his first visit to one of the association's events in the role.
The Prince was greeted on his arrival by cheers from crowds of people lining the streets and he stopped to talk to some of them.
He was welcomed outside the Royal Gala Baths by the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Paul Sabapathy, and West Midlands High Sheriff Byron Head.
Prince William spoke to the crowd and said: "Hello, how is everything? Sorry to keep you waiting. I got here as quick as I could."
The Prince, wearing a grey suit and ESSA tie, met one young girl and her brother, who gave him a lucky penny and a bunch of carnations.
Teams taking part in the tournament cheered as The Prince arrived in the reception of the swimming baths to the theme tune from the film Rocky.
There he was met by ESSA president Chris Fox and was introduced to referees and staff as well as members of the Under-18 teams involved in the water polo championships.
In the event's programme, the Prince wrote of his passion for water polo, which he played at Eton and represented Scotland in the university championships during his time at St Andrews.
He wrote: "I have always been a keen supporter of water polo.
"These Championships provide a fantastic opportunity for boys and girls in secondary education throughout England to compete in teams to an exceptionally high standard.
"Taking part in ESSA events when I was at school provided me with the motivation and enthusiasm to go on later to represent Scottish Universities and the Army.
"Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to be here today, and to be able to share with you the enjoyment of such high quality water polo – a sport that is physically challenging and competitive, yet hugely rewarding."
Prince William officially 'dropped the ball' to start a match between Bolton School and King Edward's School, Birmingham.
John Beddoe, ESSA honorary treasurer and trustee, said: "The whole thing hinges on William taking part in our championships when he was at Eton.
"This is the first time we have had a Patron since we were formed in 1949 and what a Patron to have!
"It's great to have him here. For the teams, they are through to the national championship which is exciting enough, and now meeting Prince William is a bonus."
After watching some of the matches, the Prince met members of the under-16s teams who had played matches in the morning before officially starting another match.
He met captains, coaches, and players from Trinity School in Croydon, King's School in Grantham, Manchester Grammar School, Bolton School in Bolton, and King Edward's School in Birmingham.
William Betts, 16, from King's School, Grantham, met the Prince and introduced him to his team-mates.
He said: "It was incredible. He seemed really down-to-earth. He was just chatting to us."
King's School team manager Dave Lord said it was a great experience for the boys.
He said: "From the boys' perspectives it's great to meet the future King of England.
"The fact that he has actually played in one of these tournaments means he knows what he's talking about, he knows what the sport's all about."
After staying at the baths for just under two hours, the Prince left to cheers from hundreds of people lining the streets.
Before he left he chatted to many members of the crowd.
He met three generations of one family who had turned up to see him - Muriel Harper, 90, her daughter Bernice Jardine, 56, and granddaughter Leila Jardine, 26.
The Prince also met Mayor of Walsall Melvin Pitt and his daughter Mayoress Abigail Pitt.
Cllr Pitt said he was "chuffed to bits" that the Prince had come to Walsall.
He said: "It's been fabulous. The guy is really the man of the people, he's just like his mother.
"It's lovely to see the royal family get involved. It's a beautiful day and a beautiful personality and I feel for everybody in the town.
"I'm chuffed to bits that he has actually come to Walsall as his first Royal visit to the West Midlands. It's great for us."