Schools water polo league splashes off

THE 2018 season of the Republic Bank National Secondary Schools Water Polo League splashed off on Saturday at the National Aquatic Centre, Couva. The league will run for six weeks and will see approximately 200 athletes from Bishop Anstey High School, Holy Name Convent, St Joseph’s Convent (Port of Spain), Fatima College, St Mary’s College, Trinity College and Queen’s Royal College compete for titles in eight categories.

The league’s opening day began with a symbolic game between former Queen’s Royal College and St Mary’s College players. Competitive action got underway with four emotionally-charged games featuring the league’s current players.

The opening game saw Nostalgic Queen’s Royal College defeat Nostalgic St Mary’s College 5-4.

This match was followed by another exciting clash in which Fatima College edged Queen’s Royal College 13-12 with a last minute dagger.

After two close contests, the first blowout took place with St Joseph’s Convent destroying Holy Name Convent 21-4. St Mary’s later got past Fatima College 15-11.

In the final match of the day, Queen’s Royal College overwhelmed Trinity College with a tsunami of goals to win 21-0.

The schools league is among the most highly anticipated events on the water polo calendar and has proven to be a fruitful training grounds for TT’s young athletes.

This year, the league is marking a new milestone by partnering with Republic Bank as title sponsor.

Delivering remarks at the league’s launch, Republic Bank’s Senior Manager of Group Treasury Baldath Ramkissoon said the bank’s support for the league was in keeping with its commitment to empowering youth development through sport, as part of its Power to Make A Difference Programme.

He said water polo is part of a long, distinguished history of sport in TT and encouraged the young athletes to build upon that tradition while achieving their full potential.