Lancaster development great success!
May 23, 2013Lancaster City Amateur Swimming and Water Polo Club held a development water polo tournament for boys and girls aged 13 and under, at Salt Ayre Sports Centre on Sunday 19th May 2013. The tournament was partnered with Lancaster City Council who paid for the pool time.
The swimming pool area was filled with over 80 children and the spectator area was buzzing with parents supporting their teams. Eight teams competed in this very exciting tournament, which included two teams from Lancaster City Swimming and Water Polo Club, Ripley St Thomas Academy School team, Blackpool, Rotherham, Sheffield, Sedgefield and Merseyside.
The day just kept getting better, when two GB Water Polo Olympians, Ciaran James and Glen Robinson came along to support the event. They proudly presented awards and trophies to both individual players and teams. The young water polo players were so excited to meet the Olympians and had lots of individual and group photos taken with them.
Councillor Margaret Pattison was at Salt Ayre for a community engagement day and popped down to have a look what was going on. She said “It looked fantastic, well set up and Salt Ayre was buzzing! The parents and public looked on with excitement, as did the children taking part. Which I think builds their confidence for other things in life, even if you do not always win.
I feel proud to be a Lancaster City Councillor when I see people enjoying themselves as well as keeping fit in such a great sport!”
The club would like to thank Lancaster City council for their support and partnership along with Salt Ayre who pulled everything out to help make the day run smoothly.
Lancaster City Amateur Swimming and Water Polo Club entered two teams into the development competition and were by far the youngest team there, with players from 9 -13 years old! Most of the players had never played in a water polo game before, so a tournament was a big leap for them.
Four of Lancaster’s older players, played for their school, Ripley St Thomas, which the club has a good relationship with. Lancaster coach Zak Sly coaches the Ripley team, helped out by GB Water polo squad member Owian Llewellyn.
Although the young Lancaster teams only won games against each other, this certainly didn’t dampen their spirits. They were by far the youngest team (made up mainly of primary age children) and definitely outsized, but this did not stop them from giving a great performance and having a really fun day. They had the opportunity and experience to play water polo in a tournament and fully enjoyed themselves!
The two Lancaster teams were coached by two younger senior water polo players of the club, Ben Walker and Scott Sharpe, who have undertaken coaching the mini polo for the last six months. This was the first time these two had coached a game before and did a great job! They were support by coaches Zak Sly and Gary Ellwood.
The day was all about development and this was shown in the progression of all the players. The two Lancaster teams got stronger and more confident thought out the day.
Lancaster City Swimming and Water Polo Club is the only club in the Lancaster and district area to offer water polo. Although Lancaster is only a small city, the history and success of the water polo team has made us one of the best known clubs in the country. So if you want to give it a go click here
> Check out the Ripley St Thomas Report
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17th December at Manchester Aquatic Centre