Amelie Perkins: Water Polo’s Emerging Talent

Amelie Perkins, a Coventry teenager, stands out from her peers. She became the youngest British female player to participate in an official world aquatics tournament when she was chosen for the ladies team in January at the age of 16. Now 17, the schoolgirl from Earlsdon is set to travel to Turkey next week to compete in the Water Polo World Cup, a period when many others across the nation will be focused on Christmas festivities. She is considered one of Great Britain’s most promising talents. Her recent achievements include returning from the Under-18s European Union nations tournament in the Czech Republic, where she was instrumental in England securing a gold medal. During the five games, she netted 30 goals, including seven in the final, earning her the title of tournament top scorer. With a rapidly growing reputation, she is now preparing to rejoin senior-level competition in Istanbul. “I’m back in the seniors and playing again with a lot of older people,” she informed BBC CWR. “I’m always the baby in the team but they look after me.” She also noted the high standard of competition: “There are a couple of teams there who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics in the summer, so there’s a lot of experience out there.” Perkins was just 16 in January when her selection for the GB team at the Ladies European Championships marked her as the youngest British female player to compete in an official world aquatics tournament. She scored two goals against the Netherlands, the reigning world champions, contributing to GB’s seventh-place finish, which was their best performance ever at a European tournament. However, she is acutely aware that water polo receives significantly more attention on the European mainland compared to Great Britain. “In some countries it’s their national sport. Here it’s a bit of a minority sport,” she further explained. Amelie, who played rugby during her early childhood, is currently affiliated with the Maltese club Sirens. She has spent the last six weeks training with them and participating in the European Challenger Cup, which is water polo’s equivalent of football’s Europa League. Her ambitions, however, extend beyond the upcoming World Cup. “My dad was a rugby player and I got into rugby and I played until two years ago when I stopped. But there are similarities,” stated Amelie, who is one of two 17-year-olds in the GB squad and continues her studies at Westwood Academy in Canley. Amelie Perkins’ most recent medal was secured in November in the Czech Republic. “My ultimate goal is to play Champions League in Europe or at the Olympics.” She added, “I’ve kind of known what I wanted to do since I was younger but I’m still studying.” Reflecting on the professional landscape, she commented, “Unfortunately, in women’s water polo, you can’t make a footballer’s wage off it, when you can just sit back and let the money come in.” She acknowledged the need for future career planning: “Eventually, when you stop playing, you do have to go into a career.” Despite this, she sees promising avenues: “But there is a really good league over in America at a high level and you get your education paid for – and there is an option over in Europe too. And they both sound exciting.” The women’s tournament is scheduled to commence in Istanbul on Saturday and conclude on Tuesday, 17 December. This will be followed directly by the men’s tournament, running from 18 -21 December. GB senior women’s squad: Kathy Rogers (capt), Annie Clapperton (vice-capt), Lucy Blenkinship, Sophie Jackson (gk), Jade Smith (gk), Katie Brown, Katy Cutler, Harriet Dickens, Toula Falvey, Izzy Howe, Isobelle Robb, Amelie Perkins, Amelia Peters, Brooke Tafazolli Head coach: Theo Nousios Assistant coach: Joanne Mountfield Team manager: Paula West Physio: Diane Elliot GB senior men’s squad: Kameron Powell (capt), Elliot McHugh (vice-capt, gk), Thomas Manley (gk), Ben Alderson, Alastair Cook, George Davies, Murray Dickson, Jordan Elliot, Lewis Gilmour, Louie McKie, Lloyd Pittick, Reuben Powell, Alex Sharp, Richard Waller Head coach: Nick Hume Assistant coach: James Spencer-Boyce Team manager: Terri Halsted Physio: Leanne Pridding