INNISFAIL - Members of the Innisfail Hurricanes water polo club are working to improve their skills and knowledge of the sport.
The club holds intramural games every two weeks to give members some game experience.
"It's a way to give our players real game opportunities," said Ray Bergeron, president of the Hurricanes. "We have two teams of each age group and they'll play a real game. We referee it and keep score."
A total of 26 athletes are part of the Hurricanes program this season, ranging from six to 14 years old. The season runs from mid-September to the end of March.
"You can practise skills but it's not until you can actually use them in a real game situation that you learn how to play as a team," added Bergeron, noting a partnership with the Edmonton Tsunami water polo club this season that allows U-12 girls and U-14 boys to play competitively with the club.
"Those athletes have been given the opportunity to play with them in Alberta water polo tournaments," he said. "This is the first time we've paired with the Edmonton Tsunami."
Bergeron said water polo is great exercise and a fun sport for kids of all ages.
"It's very challenging and our kids just love that challenge," he said. "We want to teach kids about fair play, good life skills, about being a good teammate and learning to work as a unit."
He would like to see the local club grow and expand its opportunities.
"We will continue to seek out partnerships like the one we have with the Edmonton Tsunami," said Bergeron. "Maybe we'll see some growth in our membership. We're hoping that we can compete as the Innisfail Hurricanes in tournaments in the years to come."
Ray Bergeron, president
"You can practise skills but it's not until you can actually use them in a real game situation that you learn how to play as a team."
