Team Sask Waterpolo competed this past weekend at the Lawson Aquatic Centre in Regina in the first tournament of the season of the Waterpolo National Competitive League, Western Conference with the 19U women’s and men’s team resulting in a clean sweep winning all six games over the four-day event.
This tournament begins the NCL series, which will be held over the winter season in Regina, Surrey B.C., Calgary, and Edmonton for the West which will host the best of the best in junior waterpolo players from 12 teams.
The women’s team, with Weyburn Hurricanes’ Rumina Edgerton as goalie for the tournament came out strong and held their reputation as one of the best teams in the western division. Their strongest opponent was Edmonton’s Tsunami Waterpolo Club with a close game resulting in a 12-10 victory. The results of this first tournament are significant as it gives an indication of the strength of the teams from year to year, which players are new to the roster and what strategies the teams need to employ as they contend for the Western Finals which sees the two top teams in 16U and 19U advance to the Canadian finals to be hosted in Montreal in May 2018.
As well as the tournament, Waterpolo Canada hosted a two-day training camp in Regina with National Team coaches and players working with athletes from across four provinces to enhance their technique, skills and strength. Edgerton noted that there was a section dedicated to goalie training under the direction of Gyula Toth of Calgary who was the former head coach of the Hungarian National Women’s team and currently assistant coach for Waterpolo Canada.
Weyburn Hurricanes Head coach Dave Edgerton attended the tournament as an official and noted, “These players and the game they play are at the top level of the sport, some advancing eventually to the National Team while others may be recruited by major U.S. Universities on scholarships to play in the large U.S. tournaments. The skills and the fitness level of these athletes is really amazing and it takes dedication teamwork and effective coaching staff to support the team.”
Team Sask U19 is coached by Dave Boan of Regina for the men’s U19 and recently recruited Ethan DaSouza for the womens’ U19. For more information and schedules please visit the Waterpolo Canada Website at www.waterpolo.ca and Saskatchewan Waterpolo at wpsask.ca or contact the Weyburn Hurricanes at weyburnhurricanes@gmail.com.
