Simon Taylor '21 Recruiting Profile

I started playing the game of Water Polo at the age of 9, after my father introduced me to it.  I have been playing the game for 9 years and I am in the water swim training or shooting polo balls at every opportunity I get.  My objective after high school is to play high level Water polo (NCAA) at a university with a solid academic program.

I am a senior at Clifton College in Durban South Africa, about to finish my last year of high school, where I play on the left wing/fetch and on the odd occasion center forward/whole man.  I have exceeded many expectations throughout my water polo career at school, such as Captaining my 1^st team in my final year, I made the South African U18 schools team when I was only 17, I have played for my country at 3 international tournaments over 3 consecutive years being U16 (PANPAC Games New Zealand), U17 (Czech Republic Bruno EU Nations Cup) and U18 (Istanbul Turkey, World Championships pending) and I have played provincial water polo for my province for 6 years running.

Throughout my high school water polo tournaments, I have also achieved accolades such as the tournaments best attacker and have been included in the all-stars tournament team on multiple occasions. I am the leading goal scorer and most valuable player in my first team and was awarded the trophy for “The best water polo player of the year” in 2019.  If I’m not playing for my school or country, I am playing for my club team who is made up of current and former South African men players.

I’m also a certified lifesaver who’s won numerous South African titles and I enjoy doing weekend duties for my local club as it keeps me fit and helps me serve my community.

I am an eager student of the game and believe with further coaching, my skills can only improve and get better. The pinnacle of my sporting career would be an opportunity to play at an Olympic Games in the near future.