The City Beach born 1999 and 2000 Boys Teams have this month returned from a three week Water Polo Tour to Barcelona, Herzeg Novi and Dubrovnik.

Fifteen of the Club’s U16 Boys enjoyed a fabulous Water Polo Tour of Mediterranean Europe in July. The Tour provided an extraordinary opportunity for the boys to gain intensive, high quality game experience against strong competition.  Twenty five training games (1 hour or more of continuous play) against nine teams in eight pools across three cities provided a broad variety of styles and situations to which the boys adapted.

From the tour the boys have realised the strength, depth and importance of water polo in Europe and are more aware of the many future opportunities available to them. And they have developed personal friendships and networks with their teammates and European opponents.

Barcelona, Spain

Over five days the boys played ten games against teams from local clubs including CN Mataro, CN Premia del Mar, CN Publo Nou, CE Mediterrane and CE Barcelona. The competing boy’s age ranged from born 1997 to born 2000.  The Club was highly competitive against the similar aged boys.

The squad stayed in the small beachside village of Premia de Mar, 20km from Barcelona city centre. It provided a relatively central location between the clubs and provided greater cultural opportunities and freedom for the boys who could use the beach and the village centre.

The boys visited Placa de Cataluna, Rambla del Catalunia, Columbus’ monument, Casa Battlo, Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Olympic Stadium, Mont Serrat, El Camp Nou and La Roc – a local outlet shopping centre. The boys also availed themselves of the opportunity to purchase cheaper-priced bathers from the local swimwear manufacturer Turbo.

Herceg Novi, Monte Negro

Over six days the boys played ten games against boys born 2000 and 2001 from the PVK Jadran Club. The PVK Jadran Club players were highly skilled, disciplined and competitive and provided formidable opposition.

The boys enjoyed a five hour boat tour which included the Blue Grotto, cliff jumping and Zanjic beach. The boys also enjoyed a social evening at a local pizza restaurant hosted by their local opponents.

Dubrovnik

Over three days in Dubrovnik five games were played against boys born 1999 to 2001 from the Jug Club. The games were played in the Jug Club home pool and in the Dubrovnik Beach sea pool.  The Club was highly competitive against these boys.

The boys enjoyed to opportunity to explore the old town, the backdrop for much of the television series ‘Game of Thrones’ and swim in the Adriatic Sea.

The team and parents would like to thank

Coach; Andrei Kovalenko 

Team Manager; Glenn Ruscoe

for the amazing training, cultural and life experience gained on the tour

A big thank you also to the following;

Major Tour Sponsor – Universal Drafting

and the following sponsors;

AB Tilbury