She has the 2012 London Olympics in her sights but water polo international, Chloé Wilcox, may one day face competition for her England squad place from the very pupils she trains at Manchester High School for Girls.

The sport remains all the rage at the School, with girls as young as 10 enjoying training sessions. Former MHSG student, Jenny Saunders, has also represented Great Britain and in the past, MHSG teams have won national titles.

A quintet of senior school girls are already on the pathway to international selection. Year 7 pupils Olivia Metcalf, Emma Johnson and Rithika Koshy, and Year 8 pupils Jordan Kelly-Linden and Natasa Ivkovic-Moutrey have joined the North West Regional Training squad.

All will try out for the National Water Polo Academy in 2008.

Chloé is assisted by mathematics teacher, and former Manchester University swimming captain, Darren Jones, who is a national leader for youth water polo.

Chloé said: “The London Olympics are a long way off and I may well be considered a veteran by that time but who knows, one of our girls may emerge in time for 2012.

“I think the sport is attractive because it is fast and has a physical nature, meaning that the players are constantly in the thick of the action. We also have the Manchester Aquatics Centre on our doorstep which is one of the best training bases in the country,” she added.

Chloé, a winger with a goal-scoring pedigree, trains for 30 hours a week and has already competed at a series international events, including the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

“The structure of the sport has improved with investment at grass roots level and in the coaching. The sport is really taking off at the moment and it will be a huge boost if we make it through to the European Championships in Malaga later this year,” she reflected.