Wales push for promotion as water polo championships splash down in Cardiff.

Water polo teams from around the British Isles head to Cardiff next month, as Wales hosts its first major event for the sport.

The ASA Inter-Regional Boys Youth Championship will be held at the Cardiff International Pool on January 15 and 16, with Wales looking to clinch promotion to the top division.

The hosts face Ireland and the South East in the group matches on Saturday, with the prospect of meeting the South West, East Midlands, East or North West in Sunday’s knock-out stages.

The competition, for boys born in 1994, will be the most prestigious water polo event held in Wales.

“It is a coup for us to be able to host an event such as this,” said Csaba Rull, water polo consultant with Swim Wales, and a coach with the GB national team.

“We have a strong squad with five GB players, and we have a good chance of promotion, as we are seeded second behind the South West- but we have to win to be promoted.

“We are keen to get plenty of support for our boys,” he added. “Water polo is a very fast and exciting sport – very physical and aggressive. It’s often likened to ice hockey, and any sports fan will find it exciting to watch.”

The 13-player Wales squad has yet to be finalised, but provisionally includes mainly players from the Carmarthen and Cardiff clubs:

 Goalkeepers:

1. Kyle Mc Allister         Carmarthen Water Polo Club
2. Aiden Thomas           Cardiff Water Polo Club

 Outfielders:

3. Lewis Jones              Carmarthen Water Polo Club
4. Chris James              Carmarthen Water Polo Club
5. Steffan Williams        Carmarthen Water Polo Club
6. Gethin Rees              Carmarthen Water Polo Club
7. Rhys Meredith           Carmarthen Water Polo Club
8. Stephen Ingrams        Cardiff Water Polo Club
9. Ryan Jones               Cardiff Water Polo Club
10. Sam Grey                 Cardiff Water Polo Club
11. Dan Brown                Frome Water Polo Club
12. Jack Arthur               Cheltenham Water Polo Club
13. Sam Hooton              Cardiff Water Polo Club
14. Lewis Davies            Carmarthen Water Polo Club
15. Elliott Dunne             Carmarthen Water Polo Club
16. Oliver Ford               Swansea Sharks Swimming Club

Matches will be played in four periods of eight minutes, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 15 and 9.30am to 4.45pm on Sunday.

Information about the event and about water polo in Wales is available from Csaba Rull at Swim Wales on 01792 513623 or Csaba.Rull@welshasa.co.uk or from the website at www.welshasa.co.uk

Posted in: Wales Cardiff Water Polo Radio Cardiff Sport