Waterpolo star and former MGS pupil Robert Gourley was part of the English Schools' Swimming Association team who triumphed in a prestigious international competition.
Robert, who left MGS last term after securing an A* and two As in his A-Levels, played for the English Schools' Swimming Association (ESSA) water polo team who won the Exiles' International Invitational Tournament held in Malta over the summer. The team were up against tough competition against the South African first and second teams, the Dutch national champions and the Maltese national team. Having beaten both South African teams and the Dutch champions, the ESSA team made it through to the final where they faced the hosts Malta in front of a passionate and partisan crowd. But the team were not fazed, and eventually triumphed 19-8to lift the trophy. Robert was selected for the national team after impressing at try-outs earlier in the year, with just 15 boys picked from a series of trials held at schools across the country. And Robert also found the net in the second half to help the national team to victory. His next challenge will be starting his Geography degree at Clare College in Cambridge next month, but he is still firmly focused on his water polo career.
Robert said: "We were up against a very competitive field but there was really good camaraderie between the teams and it was great to win the trophy. MGS has always been very supportive of my water polo commitments and allowing me to balance my studies with my sport, so hopefully I'll be able to carry that on when I'm at university. At the moment my focus is on training for the Under 19 European Championships where I'm hoping to represent either England or Great Britain so I'm looking forward to being able to carry on my training when I start university."
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