INNISFAIL – Water polo in Innisfail has received a big profile boost with a development camp hosted by the town that attracted more than 100 athletes from across the province.
The one-day event on Oct. 29, organized by the Alberta Water Polo Association, was held at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre and attracted 64 registered boys and 42 registered girls, along with coaches, other water polo officials and close to 100 out-of-town families from Edmonton, Calgary and Okotoks.
Local representation included two Innisfail coaches, seven boys and two girls from the Innisfail Hurricanes Water Polo Club.
The event was also important for the town and the entire region because Innisfail is the only water polo club between Calgary and Edmonton. The Innisfail club was formed in 2008 and offers instruction in water polo and athletic training for males and females aged six to 18-years-old.
“It is a definite goal of Alberta water polo to grow the sport in rural areas, such as in Central Alberta,” said Ray Bergeron, president of the Hurricanes club.
Bergeron said the goal of the development camp event was to expose participants to high level coaching.
“We had several coaches here that have coached at a high level. We had some former provincial and national league players who helped coach, and our two coaches got to participate in it as well,” said Bergeron. “They got to learn quite a bit from it and that will help our club in the future.”
He added the event was also an opportunity for participants to experience high level and competitive water polo, as well as to practice with athletes that have been playing the sport since they were seven or eight-years-old at high competitive levels.
“It was a really good experience for Innisfail athletes that primarily play at a recreational level to see what the competitive level is all about,” said Bergeron.
The new Hurricanes season has started but it’s a recreational one that features intramural games between club teams. The organization splits up its players to play either four on four or three on three water polo.
As for playing in tournaments, it is historically problematic as the club never has enough players to build either one boys’ or girls’ team at any particular age level.
“Having the opportunity to participate in a full Alberta water polo development camp lets the kids see what it's like to be in a full (game) with five attacking athletes and goalies and the whole works,” said Bergeron. “It was a great opportunity. As well, it was a great event for Innisfail being able to bring that many athletes and families into our town for a day. There were over 100 families that came to Innisfail.”
The event also served to boost water polo’s profile in the community as the local program took a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think a lot of youth sports are suffering. At this point we are down to about 15 players. Pre-COVID, we were a club with about 42 players,” said Bergeron, conceding the local program is in rebuilding mode. “Having Alberta water polo come and do an event like this is very helpful for us in that.”
For more information on the Innisfail Hurricanes Water Polo Club email the organization at [email protected]
