The rise of Leeds Sharks to the level of women's Super 5s qualifiers this season will come as no surprise to those who know all about the club's successful links with Durham University and American water polo.
The Leeds team features three players from the US, who are all busy completing Masters degrees at Durham. They are:
Candyce Schroeder, originally from San Clemente, California, who played at Indiana University. She is studying marketing.
Molly Quinn, originally from Lafayette, California; played at Berkley University. Now reading paleopathology, the study of ancient diseases.
Nila Ward, from Santa Monica, California. The most experienced of the trio, she has played professionally in Australia (Perth UWA Torpedoes, Adelaide Jets), Greece (Iraklis), the Netherlands (Amersfoort) and Spain (Dos Hermanas, Seville). Studying education.
Coach Mark Sutcliffe is delighted by the way the Americans - plus another key recruit, ex-Otter player Hannah Patchett - have settled in. Nila (short for Nilacala) naturally grabbed a headline or two with her ten goals in the all-important Super 5s decider against Sheffield Sharks last weekend. But Mark stresses how well the whole squad have trained and prepared for the BWPL season, developing "a strong team ethic with all players now starting to gel and develop."
For the trio of Americans, the UK has offered a perfect opportunity to stay connected with the sport as well as experiencing a different part of the world. The US has no national league, so opportunities are limited there once players graduate from university. Nila hopes to return home next year to work as a polo coach. In the meantime, she, Candyce and Molly will continue to make an impact in the BWPL - and for Durham in the BUCS tournament.
The Leeds team features three players from the US, who are all busy completing Masters degrees at Durham. They are:
Candyce Schroeder, originally from San Clemente, California, who played at Indiana University. She is studying marketing.
Molly Quinn, originally from Lafayette, California; played at Berkley University. Now reading paleopathology, the study of ancient diseases.
Nila Ward, from Santa Monica, California. The most experienced of the trio, she has played professionally in Australia (Perth UWA Torpedoes, Adelaide Jets), Greece (Iraklis), the Netherlands (Amersfoort) and Spain (Dos Hermanas, Seville). Studying education.
Coach Mark Sutcliffe is delighted by the way the Americans - plus another key recruit, ex-Otter player Hannah Patchett - have settled in. Nila (short for Nilacala) naturally grabbed a headline or two with her ten goals in the all-important Super 5s decider against Sheffield Sharks last weekend. But Mark stresses how well the whole squad have trained and prepared for the BWPL season, developing "a strong team ethic with all players now starting to gel and develop."
For the trio of Americans, the UK has offered a perfect opportunity to stay connected with the sport as well as experiencing a different part of the world. The US has no national league, so opportunities are limited there once players graduate from university. Nila hopes to return home next year to work as a polo coach. In the meantime, she, Candyce and Molly will continue to make an impact in the BWPL - and for Durham in the BUCS tournament.
RSS Feed
