Aquatic Centre in the zone for National Water Polo League

Elite men and women’s National Water Polo League competition will come to Sunshine Coast Council’s Kawana Aquatic Centre across three rounds from January through to April 2017.

The Queensland Breakers will take on the UTS Balmain Tigers (January 29) and Adelaide Jets (March 5), while the Brisbane Barracudas will play the Victorian Seals (April 2) in the third leg of the special triple-header.

Kawana Aquatic Centre manager Steve Miller said the centre was proud to host the National Water Polo league games which will give a number of local players the chance to play in front of a home crowd, including Olympian Billy Miller.

“There are nine players from the Sunshine Coast involved in the National League competition who travel each weekend to compete against the best players in Australia and overseas,” he said.

“Bringing these games to the Coast is important for the development of this sport with Sunshine Coast junior teams featured in finals at the State Championships in all age groups over the last few years.

“In fact, we have the biggest school competition in Queensland and this is a pathway to playing at regional, state and national level competition.

“With our kids being involved in many water sports like lifesaving and surfing, the game of water polo is a natural progression for water athletes.

“We have a big program for juniors at Kawana Aquatic Centre and summer is the time to get involved.

“I would encourage parents to bring the family and watch these elite athletes battle it out during the national water polo league games.”

Tourism Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said hosting Australia’s premier water polo competition added to the region’s impressive event portfolio.

“The National Water Polo League features teams from five states across Australia and international players often join teams competing in the League creating a high quality competition,” Cr O’Pray said.

“I would thoroughly recommend that anyone who loves sport heads along to our Kawana Aquatic Centre to view one of the most physically demanding of all team sports.

“It’s a fantastic sport to watch live.

“They are amazing athletes who can cover up to three kilometres in the pool during the one hour it takes to complete a game.

“It’s definitely not for the faint hearted as the players must endure extreme physical contact, both above and below the surface of the water.

“The economic injection that events like these produce are significant and help us to build a more prosperous community.”

National Water Polo League event details

Kawana Aquatic Centre

45 Sportsmans Parade

Bokarina

Phone: 5493 7788

Queensland Breakers v UTS Balmain Tigers: Sunday, January 29

Queensland Breakers v Adelaide Jets: Sunday, March 5

Brisbane Barracudas v Victorian Seals: Sunday, April 2.

Adults $5 and children free. Visit www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au for more details.

Image: Sunshine Coast Olympian Billy Miller with Cr Jason O’Pray