Of course I have stories of our expeditions, everyone does. Living on the edge of the beautiful Peak District National Park provided endless opportunity for our exploits.

But my story is about Sport.

I was always keen and competent swimmer, to club level before secondary school.

However the location and academic nature of my secondary school which did not have a facility on site meant that my hours in the pool deteriorated before I turned thirteen.

Aged fifteen, my DoE Bronze pushed me to find a new sport. Although reasonably competent at most land based school games, none ever really took hold with the kind of passion needed to succeed.

And then there was a poster on a notice board, inviting one and all to come and try Water Polo at Sheffield’s new world class pool, Ponds Forge.

Swimmer + New Pool + DoE forcing me to try something new. There was no real choice. More a case of the stars aligning.

I went on to play Water Polo for my club in the equivalent of the European Champions League.

I passed coaching badges and as a teenager took junior club and regional teams to medal success.

I organised national inter-regional competitions for 300+ participants before I’d turned twenty.

I travelled the world as manager of the Great British Junior women’s programme for six years.

I met my partner, Brian.

I was a key leader of the technical officials at the London 2012 Olympic Water Polo tournament.

Through sport, I learnt more about myself as an individual and a leader, the world of organisations and international relations and cultures than school or university ever came close to.

My time in sport has been instrumental in my not insignificant professional success.

The Duke of Edinburgh award played such a pivotal role in the route my life has taken.

I will be eternally grateful.

RIP HRH