Athlete Spotlight: Kensleigh Swanston

This season, Kensleigh could be found at the pool nearly every day. If not, she was either in eastern Canada playing 18U NCL with the Mavericks Water Polo Club out of Ontario (the team took home silver in eastern finals) or she was in western Canada with Vortex’s 16U NCL team. To supplement club practises, Kensleigh trained with the MWPA Provincial Development Program. In addition, she’s a founding member of the St. Mary’s Academy team competing in MWPA’s School League (and SMA won the first place title this season). All of this while maintaining Honour Roll with Distinction at Linden Christian School.

Kensleigh is a rising star as she was selected as part of Water Polo Canada's Development Team Program in Barcelona, Spain.

Kensleigh has shared some really exciting news! Thanks to a coach's recommendation, she is taking her training to the heart of water polo in North America - California  - where she’s enrolled at Oaks Christian School to play on their water polo team starting next year in grade 11. 

Kensleigh is the first Manitoban recommended to Oaks Christian School. “I didn’t even know this amazing school and team existed — and now I’m enrolled! It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and I am so very grateful! My current school, Linden Christian School has been incredibly supportive of my competitive travel schedule. Oaks Christian has that same feel of a wonderful community”. 

We recently had an opportunity to catch up with Kensleigh upon her return from USA Water Polo Junior Olympic qualifiers in California. She will be heading back there in June and July to compete with her new California team.

When and how did you get into water polo?

When I was 7 years old I was looking for another sport to play in addition to curling with my family and playing ringette. Being tall, basketball was a possibility, but the schedule conflicted with my other two sports. A schoolmate, originally from Croatia, invited me to come try water polo. My first coaches, Coach James Villa and Coach Julian Del Campo, made it fun and I fell in love with the sport! Covid shutdowns interrupted water polo, however before I knew it, at 13 years old I was playing 17U NCL for Coach Brenden Jamieson (aka Pizey).

What is the best advice in water polo you have ever received?

When in doubt, fight it out and never give up. The play is not over until the whistle blows so keep fighting for the ball. I think the majority of my goals happen by fighting it out in front of the net - those are some of my favourite because they are about making something happen... and never giving up.

What water polo skill was the hardest to learn?

Mastering the backhand. You need to get the position of your arm exactly right or the ball flies over the net or straight down into the water. I’ve gotten much better at my backhands but every once and a while I won’t get my arm to the right spot and it shows.

What motivates you?

Helping my team achieve victory. I can’t do everything and be everywhere at once to help my team, so the best thing I can do is to play as hard as I can. It’s always fun to share victories with others. 

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?

The power of time: to go forward, backwards, and to stop time. I could fix past mistakes and be prepared for what comes next.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’m not quite sure what I want to do yet. So far I’m just keeping options open.

What other sports or hobbies do you enjoy?

I love reading. I have around 140 books in my room and have read most of them 2-3 times. I really like getting lost in a good story. 

My parents and I took Krav Maga. It’s a type of close-contact combat which funnily translates well to playing Center Hole Set where we’re constantly battling for position and the ball.

What is one thing you could not go a day without?

Music. It makes everything more enjoyable. I would rather be listening to a song when I have to do my chores than work in silence.

What is one thing that automatically makes your day better?

Getting to see my friends whether it’s at school or at the pool. Water polo has made it easy to see friends I might not have time to see as often otherwise.

Anything else you would like to share?

I’m thankful I found my way into water polo. It is shaping my life in ways I’d never imagined. I’ve had so many good experiences and have made many friends. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.