Family’s Eye on London 2012

Photo: Darren Robinson

MAKING A SPLASH... Casey (left), Dean and Jade Smith.

WATER POLO: A TRIO of siblings are making a big splash in the world of water polo, and are setting their sights on the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Dean Smith and his sisters Jade (17) and 16-year-old Casey represent Great Britain, after catching the eye of talent-spotters with impressive displays for City of Manchester.

Dean (19) is part of the GB senior men’s set-up, while Jade is in the female equivalent and Failsworth School pupil Casey is involved with the junior section.

Mum Debbie said: “Dean and Jade are with the senior squads and have a chance of going to the Olympics if they continue to impress the Great Britain coaches.

“Jade is a little young, but it is not impossible for her to make it next year. It depends how big an impression she makes between now and then with the juniors.

“All three of them started out as swimmers. Dean was a big lad and someone suggested he would be good at water polo.

“He went to his local club of the time, Failsworth Icebergs, and loved it. After four weeks of watching him, the two girls wanted to try and it was all downhill after that.

“They progressed to City of Manchester, and were delighted to be called up by their country.”

Dean already has experience on his side in a bid to make the Olympics, having played for Great Britain in the 2009 European Championships.

The sisters are set to head to the national squad’s training camp in Barcelona.

Jade is in the squad to take on Israel in Loughborough next month, while Casey is part of the squad competing in the European Junior Championships in Madrid this summer.

To help fund the siblings’ travels with sponsorship and play a part in their Olympic dream, call Debbie on 07877 961844.