Blowing them out of the water

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This article was published 02/11/2015 (3683 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Malachi Leclerc has loved swimming for as long as he can remember.

So by the time he was seven, Leclerc started playing water polo to spend more time in the water. The Oak Park student just began Grade 10, and another season of high school water polo.

“I’ve always loved to swim,” the Charleswood resident said. “Even before I could remember. So water polo was always a fun way to swim and play on a team at the same time in a competitive way.”

This year, the 15 year old will also play with his club team, Bushido Water Polo Club, and on the Manitoba Provincial Team. It means about five practices per week, but Leclerc enjoys it.
“So far I haven’t had a lot of trouble getting my schoolwork done,” he said.

Last year, Leclerc was named MVP of the Manitoba high school league and had the chance to participate in Water Polo Canada’s National Championship League. According to him, being named MVP had mostly to do with his role as a leader.

“I wasn’t named captain, but everyone kind of looked to me for what to do in the water,” Leclerc said. “So it helped to be visible to everyone, not just in the water… also, I’ve played against a lot of older kids in my life, I’ve played against 19 year olds since I was 13.”

Leclerc said that when it comes to competing against older or more experienced players, you have to focus.

“You have to be more careful, even the smallest mistakes, they’ll know how to counter,” Leclerc said. “You have to really think about everything you have to do, which makes it hard to really show off, but if you play it right, you can still be really good.”

The Grade 9 to 12 Oak Park team has already made it to the A Division, and Leclerc is confident they can win.

“I’m hoping we can at least reach the podium. I feel as if we try hard enough we could get gold, but there is some competition out there,” he said.

Leclerc hopes to build on what he’s learned in the past few years playing with other clubs. This past June, he trained with the Los Angeles Water Polo Club, winning gold in the bronze division in the Junior Olympics. He said that training with other teams helps him to develop different playing techniques.

“It was really good because they have different playing styles, so it’s always good learn different types,” he said.

The athlete is planning another full year of competing and training.

“Every practice I’m still having fun, so it’s always been a good experience.”

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