PRINCE William enjoyed one of his sporting passions as he cheered on a triumphant Great Britain's women's water polo team at Manchester Aquatics Centre.

A keen player himself, William, joked he wished he could jump in the water and join in the fun.

Great Britain defeated Slovakia 17-6 in their third successive win in the group stages of the LEN European Nations Tournament. held in the city as they continued their preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.

The match marked William's first official engagement in Manchester and his first with a sport which he played regularly while studying at St Andrew's University.

In 2004, he was selected to represent Scotland Universities in an international tournament and also played water polo while he served in the army.

Following the home nation's victory, William praised the venue which is home to British swimming's High Performance Water Polo Centre.

He said: "It is great to be here. I've been sweating a bit in my suit, I just wanted to jump in the water.

"I loved the aquatics centre and it was great to be here in Manchester. I would like to see more of Manchester on another time."

William started the contest by throwing the match ball into the pool and later greeted both teams at the end of the game.

British team captain Ros Griffith, 27, a teacher at Manchester Grammar School, presented the prince with a ball signed by members from all the eight competing nations.

When he received his present, William quipped; "There's nothing rude on here is there?"

Miss Griffith, originally from Shropshire, Ros said: "He said he really enjoyed the game and said he hoped we would have stiffer competition next time. It's a great boost for the sport. It is nice for someone so high profile to know about the sport having played it at university.

"It is good that he is so engaged in the sport.

"We tried not to pay too much attention to the crowd and the fact that the prince was here but we knew we had to put in a special performance."

Great Britain qualified for the tournament's semi-finals with victory tonight and will hope to reach Sunday's final.

William also met various dignitaries during the evening including the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes and Joanna Wray, the world class programme manager for water polo.