Prince William, the Patron of English Schools Swimming Association, "dropped the ball" to start the U18 water-polo semi-final game between Bolton School and King Edward's Birmingham at the Schools' Team Water Polo Championships held at Walsall Gala Baths.

Prince William was a keen water polo player during his student days and had entered the same competition himself whilst he was at Eton; he also represented Scottish Universities when he was at St Andrews. 

Bolton School U18 boys’ team was narrowly beaten in the semi-final and, overall, recorded fourth place in this national competition which had seen over 60 teams compete.

The Bolton School Boys’ Division U16 team also met the Prince and went one step further than the U18 team.  They overcame King’s School, Grantham in the morning’s semi-final but were beaten by Manchester Grammar School in the final.

Prince William met both teams and chatted amicably to the boys and the School’s Director of Sports, Mr Trevor Pledger.  Mr Pledger, who is also Coordinator of English Schools’ Water Polo, sat next to the Prince during the game and later reflected that: “he was a very pleasant young man, very easy to talk to, very chatty and he had an obvious interest in the game.  Both of our teams were thrilled to meet him.”

Click here to view a newsfeed about the event on an external site.