ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND. Kimberly Watson has been an incredible contributor to the University of St Andrews Women’s Water Polo team this season. Watson, originally from Pointe-Claire, Quebec, made a lasting impression in the NCAA for her incredible offensive abilities, scoring 285 goals in her four seasons to finish third all-time at Wagner College on New York City’s Staten Island. Now, she’s moved on—studying for her masters in International Business at the University of St Andrews, world-renown for its teaching, research, and reputation as the Home of Golf—and extending her prolific polo career across the Atlantic.
The St Andrews Women’s Water Polo Team is one of the university’s top competing teams. The season the Saints finished undefeated in the BUCS Premier League (the United Kingdom’s highest division), winning all ten matches.
Saints Water Polo is made up of girls from all over the world—North America, South Africa, the UK and various countries in Europe. This uniquely international experience has been a tremendous growth opportunity.
The Saints of St. Andrews—champions of Scottish women’s water polo. Photo Courtesy: St Andrews Athletics
“The player and coach structure is a bit different here,” Watson said in a recent interview. “I’m able to be more vocal and help some of our newer players with skills and concepts.”
In the pool, Watson set various new school records, registering 63 goals and 62 assists in the regular season. She is also fastest on the team, winning 30 of 31 swim offs this season. Outside of St Andrews, Watson and four other talented Saints Water Polo players compete for Coventry in the British National League Division 1, the highest level of water polo in the UK. Watson is the leagues’ leading scorer; playing in the national league has allowed her to continue compete—and shine—for at least one more year.
Outside of the pool, Watson has enjoyed the opportunity to further her studies at a world-class institution.
“I had never been in the UK before,” said Watson, “so I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s a cute, small town… a lot different than being in New York City. But, I’ve adapted and enjoyed my experience here thus far. Academics are certainly more challenging than I expected, probably because it’s a Masters program but it has been nice to really push myself more than I have in the past.”
[Catching Up With Wagner’s Water Polo’s Kimberly Watson]
When asked about the difference between British and American polo, Watson touched on the growth opportunities that British sports promote.
Kim Watson at Wagner. Photo Courtesy: Wagner Athletics
“The water polo environment here in the UK and at St Andrews is a lot more encouraging and welcoming,” she said. “It’s more stress-free, and people are genuinely playing to learn and for fun. That being said there is a good balance between development and high level of play. Because of that, I get to be a leader and provide my input on drills and other things I think would be valuable for our team.”
Overall, Watson and her coach, Ian MacCallum, agree that these British postgraduate scholarships are the ideal situation for student-athletes wrapping up their time in the NCAA.
“I wasn’t ready to drop water polo and knew I wanted to stay in school but that’s not possible in the NCAA,” Watson explained. “Once you’ve done your four years, you’re done. I wanted to slowly ease out, so this was the perfect opportunity. It’s a lot less practice and more flexible hours. If you can’t make a practice, it’s not the end of the world.
“This more flexible structure allows you to have a better balance between school, water polo and your social life, and even traveling to new countries! I think that’s why this has been such a perfect fit for me. Plus, the water polo community is quite small. I’m playing against girls who know some of my Wagner teammates from their childhood, so it’s really cool to be a part of this global community.”
Coach MacCallum is proud of the program they have developed in St Andrews and is really encouraging of his squad. He feels Saints Water Polo is a unique opportunity that NCAA student athletes are looking for while continuing their education.
“If students want to play another year, it’s a fantastic opportunity to play in a different environment and to travel,” MacCallum said. “Our girls have been all over the UK, to Hungary and have trained in Barcelona. It’s an awesome opportunity to continue to play [and] a whole new experience for our student athletes. There are great opportunities to meet new people, to experience new cultures and expand your network for jobs and after graduation.”
In the postseason, the Saints extended their undefeated streak, beating Newcastle and Edinburgh in the playoffs and then defeating defending champion Durham in the final of the national BUCS Championship. With the win, they delivered the trophy to St. Andrews for the first time ever. In the process, they became the first all-women’s team from St. Andrews to win a BUCS Championship.
For now, players and staff will rest, but Coach MacCallum and his team are already looking ahead to the European Student Water Polo Championships in Slovenia this summer. Planning has also started for the defense of their title next season as the Saints look forward to new players embarking on their journey at the University of St. Andrews next fall.
Originally from Menlo Park, CA where her love of water polo developed under the coaching of four-time Olympian Brenda Villa, Maddie Tarr is a recent graduate of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Although she had an enjoyable time playing water polo at St. Andrews, where she studied Management, Tarr’s true passion is basketball, where she was a two-year captain for the Saints. At University she also worked for Saints Sport as their Student Executive of Publicity and Media.
One technicality you seemed to have missed is the fact that Kim and some of her team mates have been playing in the BWPL on the wrong visa. All well scoring all these goals but if you can’t follow the law then surely that’s another issue?
You sound like a bitter Mom
How did you obtain these “facts”? Do you know them personally? If not how did you legally get access to the types of visas they carry?
Everyone from Canada studying for a Masters in the UK needs a Tier 4 Visa unless they hold a UK passport
How did you obtain these “facts”? Do you know them personally? If not how did you legally get access to the types of visas they carry?
Everyone from America or Canada needs a Tier 4 Visa to sit a Masters
@. “USA polo mom” check your facts, hunny. #fakenews
The definition of who is a ‘professional sportsperson’ was amended on 30 March 2019, but affects you even if you applied for or were granted your Tier 4 immigration permission before that date. The definition in the Tier 4 policy guidance is not up to date because the guidance has not been amended since January 2019. It means that if you fall into one or more of the groups below, you are restricted to playing or coaching as an “Amateur” in a charity event. “Amateur” means a person who engages in sport solely for personal enjoyment and who is not seeking to derive a living from it, which includes payments made in kind.
1. You are currently providing services as a sportsperson, or playing or coaching in any capacity, at a professional or semi-professional level of sport
2. You are currently receiving, or in the previous four years have received, payment (including payment in kind) for playing or coaching. The payment also covers, or covered, all or most of your costs for travelling to, and living in, the UK
3. You are currently, or in the previous four years have been, registered to a professional or semi-professional sports team
4. You have represented your nation, national team, state or regional team within the previous two years
6. You have an established international reputation in your chosen field of sport
7. You engage an agent or representative, with the aim of finding opportunities as a sportsperson, and/or developing a current or future career as a sportsperson, or you have engaged such an agent in the last 12 months If you do not fall into one of the groups above, you may undertake paid or unpaid sporting activities, including work placements which are an assessed part of your course.
One assumes under point 2 that includes Water Polo scholarships either here or in the USA are treated as payments in kind and therefore anyone in receipt is treated as professional?