ONE SESSION was all Coxhoe’s John Pratt needed to be hooked on water polo.

Now the 20-year-old is on the cusp of taking his hobby to the very top, set to compete for Great Britain at this week’s World University Games.

Pratt is no stranger to elite competition having represented his country in age-group European Championships in his nascent career to date.

But the Northumbria University is set to reach a whole new level in Naples, Italy, an experience he is keen to make the most of as part of a strong British team

“It’s a very exciting time to compete because there aren’t many British athletes who get to compete,” he said. “To be able to be one of those is a real honour.

“It is my first games and I am really looking forward to it. I would say it is the highest level I have competed at. I was at the U19s European Championships a year ago and that was a high level but this will be a lot bigger and the athletes will be a lot stronger.

“I was competitive as a child – I used to go with my brother to swimming lessons and we used to race. We went along to water polo for one session to see if we liked it and if not, we wouldn’t go again.

“But I really enjoyed it and wanted to keep going.

“That competitive spirit has helped me as I got older because I have always wanted to push myself and try hard.”

The Universiade is widely recognised as the second largest multi-sport Games in the world after the Olympics, with over 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries.

More than 80 athletes across nine sports will take their place in Team Great Britain in Naples, representing institutions from across the UK.

But Pratt’s journey to this level hasn’t always been plain sailing.

Setbacks have been plentiful but none more so than when his place in the team was in doubt, determined to never experience a repeat of the disappointment.

“When I was in the U19 squad, I was dropped and I did not make the team but then I trained more and pushed myself harder. I got back into the squad and ended up going to the Europeans and that was huge,” added the business management student.

“My attitude was huge. I do see why I was drooped because I slacked off training but it pushed me to get back and work harder.

“I know in the back of my mind what I need to do. I need to push hard and make sure I don’t go through that again.”

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for Higher Education (HE) sport in the UK, organising leagues and competitions for more than 150 institutions across 52 different sports. For more information visit bucs.org.uk