Players warm up for start of water polo season

ALTHOUGH the temperatures are not soaring just yet, the heat will be on when the Apco Bendigo Water Polo season starts next week.Runners-up in last summer’s action, Westpac Warriors are primed to grab top honours in the 2010-11 season at the Bendigo Aquatic Centre.A talented Westpac team includes experienced campaigner Ian Symons and young guns Dan and Tim Carew, Nic Swan and James Mawby.Teammates in Golden Square Football Club’s under-18 premiership victories of the past two Septembers, Ewen Pickles and David Symons will show their swimming skills for Westpac.Winning the water polo grand final will not be easy against the likes of reigning champions, Couttas.A come and try and season registration night will be run tomorrow at the Bendigo Aquatic Centre in Barnard Street from 6.30pm.Bendigo Water Polo president Bruce Pridham said a goal was to have a junior girls competition run this season.“We had four senior teams compete last year, and we hope for an increase in player and team numbers,” Pridham said.Already several football and netball players have indicated they will tackle water polo as a way of increasing fitness.“We have senior (mixed) and senior (beginner) matches played each Thursday night.“Ages of players range from primary school years up to 50-plus.“There will be at least three matches played each Thursday,” Pridham said.The season starts on October 28 at 6.30pm.Through the support of Victorian Water Polo, a $15 special insurance fee will apply for an eight-week come and try program.For details about signing up, phone Bruce Pridham on 0407 045 683 or go to tomorrow’s pool session.