A Bolton School student has been named as Swim England's Breakthrough Athlete for the Year.

Harriet Dickens, a Year 12 student in the Girls’ Division of Bolton School, has received the award after an impressive season in the pool.

The Girls’ Division’s water polo captain was delighted, if a little surprised, to win the national award from the national governing body for swimming in the country.

She said: "I’m really pleased. When I got the email through I couldn’t believe it."

The 17-year-old also captained England team and was top scorer at last summer’s EU Nations Cup. She also represented her country at the European Championships.

At club level, Harriet was part of the City of Manchester team which was crowned British Water Polo League champions in the 2021-22 season.

She again took home the accolade of top scorer.

Harriet impressed at the Swim England U19s Girls' National Age Group Championships, where she scored two goals in the final to help her team to the title. 

She also took home the award for Most Valuable Player at the tournament.

READ MORE: Bolton School water polo twins celebrate GCSE success

"I always look forward to competitions and having a chance to compete in the higher age groups at national level just gives me more experience for when it’s my own age group," she said.

"And then, hopefully, when it comes to my age group I can hopefully be one of the leaders in the team to help us place highly.

"Throughout the next year, I’m hoping to train for the Europeans and keep improving and building the team.

"I’m looking forward to competing with the national league as well and I’m looking to continue doing well in that.

"Water polo’s a really fun sport that not many people know about it and I love it. So, I hope that people think about taking up the sport and giving it a go.

"I want to thank my coaches Izzy Howe, Theo and Andy. Andy’s been my coach at Bolton School since the very start whilst Theo and Izzy always help me so much at Manchester."

Harriet has also taken to sharing her wisdom, helping coach some of the younger girls' teams at Bolton School.

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