Rob Crosse with the teapot he used as water bearer for Team GB at the Special Olympics 2023.
Our student Rob Crosse was specially selected to play the role of water bearer for Team GB at the Special Olympics 2023 opening ceremony.
Rob, a student in our Learning for Living and Work department, is competing at the World Games in Berlin as a member of the first field hockey team England Hockey and Special Olympics Great Britain have sent to the games.
“Playing a ceremonial role like that requires such confidence and responsibility and I had no doubt he would absolutely smash it.”
Team GB’s hockey squad have had some great wins so far at the games and have seen Rob on the scoresheet more than once, including 6 – 0 against Pakistan and 6 – 0 against Bulgaria.
The role of water bearer is part of a tradition which sees every nation bring water from their home country to be added to a cauldron. Rob added a teapot of water from the pond at Buckingham Palace.
Rob said: “I am so proud to have been specially chosen for this job. It is really important to me.
“Representing my country like this is amazing and I’m loving everything at the Special Olympics so far.”
Rob’s College tutor Matt Wilson added: “I’m in total awe of Rob for all he has achieved so far in his Special Olympics journey and to have been chosen as water bearer is just the icing on the cake.
“Playing a ceremonial role like that requires such confidence and responsibility and I had no doubt he would absolutely smash it. We are all extremely proud of his achievements and are honoured to have him as a student.”
Last updated: 21st June 2023
Originally posted on: 21st June 2023