Tributes paid to dedicated international water polo coach Jim Caulfield
Jim led a distinguished coaching career, heading up numerous Great Britain and England international squads and providing the building blocks for many players to go on to become senior internationals.
He also had a major impact on the game at grassroots level, coaching at Grantham for more than half a century, guiding the school to an unprecedented number of English School Swimming Association and ASA national titles.
Jim’s role at Grantham led to him being a major factor in the creation of Grantham’s Water Polo Academy as well as the various roles he held across regional, national and international level.
His influence stretched across the entire water polo community, including Swim England Water Polo Programme Lead, Craig Figes, who was one of the many players coached by Jim throughout his years.
Paying tribute to Jim, Craig said: “Jim gave so much to support the sport of water polo all across the nation.
“I was one of the many that were fortunate enough to be coached by Jim and he was one of the best coaches that I worked under.
“He was an inspirational figure to so many people in our sport and left a lasting legacy that will go on for years to come.
“We will be forever grateful for his contribution and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go to his family and friends at this sad time.”
‘Gentleman Jim’
Jim’s former captain of his Great Britain senior women’s squad, Mandy Saville, said that he will always be remembered as ‘gentleman Jim’.
She said: “We always knew Jim as ‘gentleman Jim’ because of the really nice demeanour he had.
“He always created a really good atmosphere in his teams and his passion and influence on us to form friendships between us as players was a real testament to his coaching.
“Jim was an incredible coach, putting a lot of thought into our strategy for every single game and leading us to some incredible moments like the European Championships in Sheffield.
“I still have the picture of that team on my wall to this day and a lot of us that played under him at international level went on and reformed to play as the England Roses because of the environment he created.
“His legacy of love, dedication, and passion for water polo was cherished by all of us and everyone he met.”
Great Britain’s 2012 Olympian Sean King was also coached by Jim and said that his career wouldn’t have been possible without Jim’s support.
He added: “I was fortunate to be coached by Jim for two years and he is, without doubt, one of the best British water polo coaches ever.
“Jim played an important part in the development of many water polo players, some of whom went on to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games, but, equally as important, many stayed involved in the sport into their later life in some capacity.
“His influence therefore can and will be felt throughout our sport for many more years to come. His attention to detail and ability to improve a player technically was outstanding, through a range of drills he had designed that were widely adopted around the country through Regional Training Centres – some of which are still used today.
“In my own journey from player to coach, Jim provided enormous encouragement, support, and guidance. As a 16-year-old, leaving London, and therefore moving away from my family, I will be forever grateful for the way Jim helped me settle and supported me.
“It is not an exaggeration that the highs I was fortunate enough to experience, representing my country and playing in Europe, simply would not have been possible without Jim. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Rose Younger, who was team manager when Jim was GB head coach added: “I was team manager during the time Jim was coaching Great Britain’s senior women and my overwhelming memories of him are that he was an absolute gentleman and a gentle man.
“He was a great coach who inspired so many players throughout his years on poolside – at club, regional and national level.
“I am immensely grateful to have met him and seen first-hand his dedication to our sport. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.”
A service will be held on Friday 15 November at St Wulfrum’s Church, Grantham (1.30pm) followed by refreshments (from 3pm) at the Chequers Inn, Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.
Jim’s son Ben and Nick ask those attending to wear a water polo shirt, rugby shirt or a touch of colour to reflect their Dad’s love of sport.
