Teenager picked as goalkeeper for the  European qualifiers in April

An Ealing teenager's been selected to represent Great Britain in the upcoming LEN U19 European qualifying championships, to be held in Manchester in April.

Having started playing Water Polo as a goalkeeper at his local pool in Ealing back in 2016, Elliot  McHugh made great progress working his way up through Swim England’s performance pathway programme.

Elliot is also a key figure in the Swim England community. He’s currently vice-chair of the Swim England National Youth Advisory Panel, a body of volunteers which tackles issues in sport such as mental health and safeguarding. He was recently called up to Parliament to help with the launch of Swim England’s ‘Value of Swimming’ campaign (being one of their case studies) which aims to raise awareness about the benefits of swimming across the Uk

Elliot (pictured left) in parliament with Swim England’s chairman Mike Farrar and CEO Jane Nickerson

Head Coach Dean Walker said, “I congratulate not only the squad but also thank every player that has trialled along the way… We will now prepare to travel and compete in the Novaky cup at the end of March against some of the top U19 teams in Europe in the build up to hosting the LEN qualifiers in April”.

Elliot was named Swim England’s London Youth Volunteer of the Year 2019 and was shortlisted for Ealing Young Sportsperson of the Year 2019. He has also recently been highly commended at the upcoming London Sports Awards 2020 as Young Inspirational Person of the Year.

Elliot’s aim is to get more young people taking part in sport, having experienced for himself the physical and mental benefits that it gives. He said: “Playing Water polo makes me feel more positive in day to day life, and has supported both my physical and mental wellbeing’.

For anyone interested in taking part in Water Polo in London, find your local club here.

March 5, 2020