Surrey, and indeed British, Water Polo has lost a great friend in Dave Leach, who passed away on 5th September at the age of 64.
The middle of three water polo playing brothers, he started his swimming career as a youngster at Woodside SC in Thornton Heath winning multiple Surrey Age Group Championships.
He soon moved on to water polo and at the age of 14 transferred to Sutton and Cheam to further his career. By 16 he was a member of the GB Under 20 team and, quite remarkably, a year later, aged 17, was in the starting line-up for the GB senior team.
He enjoyed huge success with Sutton before moving onto a new challenge with London Polytechnic in the mid 1980s. At both clubs he won National League titles and continued to represent GB.
After a short break from the sport, he started playing again. Dave played for Croydon Amphibians for over twenty years in national league and at a lower level in local competitions, refereeing in local leagues and coaching younger players.
When he became a Masters player, he led by example in both the over 45’s and over 55’s leading Surrey to many successes in regional tournaments.
His personality, skills and determination moulded and inspired former opponents and team-mates into formidable squads. A perfect example of a top athlete giving something back to a sport he enjoyed and in which he achieved so much.
His family have set up a “Much Loved” page here to celebrate Dave and give everyone details about his funeral including a link to view remotely if you can’t make it in person.
The service takes place on 15 October 2026 at 1.45pm at the Bluebell Cemetery, Watercroft’s Wood, Old London Road, Halstead, Kent, TN14 7AE and his family are keen that as many of Dave’s water polo friends are aware and come along if possible.
If you know Dave, please share with anyone you know knew him.
RIP Dave.