West Lothian Courier

Scotland call-up for teenager

James makes Scotland side for Poland event

- Sports Reporter

A West Lothian teenager has been selected to play for Scotland’s senior water polo team at an internatio­nal competitio­n in Poland next month.

James Melville, 17, will represent his country as part of Scotland men’s water polo team at the EU 12 Nations Tournament in Poland in May.

This will be James’ first senior cap after playing for Scotland junior men for the last five years and captaining the under-18 team at internatio­nal competitio­ns in Austria, Ireland, and Lithuania over the last year.

The S6 student at St Margaret’s Academy was invited to train with the senior men’s squad this session and gained his place in the team following an intensive training camp and selection weekend in Malaga at the start of March.

James said: “I am delighted to be selected for the Scotland’s men’s team for this major tournament.

“The competitio­n will be tough and physically demanding, particular­ly our opening game against South Africa who have been invited to attend.

“I am looking forward to the challenge.”

James is the second member of the Melville family to be selected for Scotland’s water polo team as he follows in his brother Andrew’s footsteps into the national team.

The West Lothian pair also play alongside each other at club level in the British Water Polo Men’s League.

James is also a qualified water polo coach and takes training sessions at the school club on Friday afternoons.

He is currently preparing the junior team for the Scottish Schools Championsh­ip to be hosted by St Margaret’s Academy at the start of June before captaining the senior team at their finals at Stirling University later in the month.

A spokespers­on for St Margaret’s Academy said: “Congratula­tions to James on his first senior water polo cap and we wish him every success in the EU Tournament in Szczecin, Poland.”

The tournament will take place between May 18 and 21.

A spokespers­on for the Scotland’s Men’s Water Polo Team said: “We expect this will be a closely contested tournament and look forward to some first class water polo matches.”

You can follow the progress of James and the team on the Scotland’s Men’s Water Polo’s Facebook page.

James will first play for the national team in a friendly against England Men on May 13.

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 ??  ?? Waterboy James Melville at his school’s swimming facility where he trains
Waterboy James Melville at his school’s swimming facility where he trains

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