Sophie Jackson signs for University of Michigan

Swim England Water Polo Performance Athlete of the Year Sophie Jackson has accepted a sports scholarship with the University of Michigan in USA.

The City of Leeds goalkeeper has been awarded a four-and-a-half-year contract and will join British teammate Kathy Rogers on the water polo roster starting in January 2019.

Jackson was invited out to visit Michigan for a long weekend earlier in the year. This provided a great opportunity for her to look around the university, meet all the coaching staff and spend some time getting to know the team.

She was really impressed with the training facilities and their development programme and returned feeling that it was definitely the right place for her.

High standard of American collegiate water polo

“I’m really looking forward to going to UM,” said Jackson, who was part of the British team who finished sixth at last year’s European U17 Championships.

“The standard of American collegiate water polo is high and I’m hoping that training and playing out there will really help to improve my game.

“I’m pleased to be starting in January as it gives me time, if selected, to go to the World and European Championships this summer and to train with the senior team as they prepare for the Commonwealth Cup.”

As well as playing water polo Sophie will major in Architecture at the university’s Taubman College.