INNISFAIL – The Innisfail Hurricanes is kicking off the 2019 water polo season with an invitational 12U tournament.
The event takes place at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on Oct. 19 and 20.
“The event in Innisfail is strictly a 12U event and is open to kids with a 2008 and 2009 birth year,” said Ray Bergeron, president of the Hurricanes.
For the past four years, the Hurricanes has hosted the first Alberta Water Polo Association (AWPA) water polo tournament of the season he said, adding that teams from Calgary, Okotoks, Edmonton, and Stony Plain are expected to participate.
This year, the Hurricanes will have four girls and four boys on their respective teams, joining the Calgary Mako water polo club for the tournament.
“This year we do have a few more 12U age kids,” said Bergeron. “Having eight athletes in this tournament is more than we’ve had in previous years.
“This is an opportunity for young Hurricane athletes to see what competitive water polo is all about,” he added.
Bergeron said the Alberta Water Polo Association has targeted Central Alberta as a potential area for growth in the sport.
“Innisfail is the only water polo program between Calgary and Edmonton and potentially seeing water polo programs start up in Red Deer or other neighboring communities would be great,” said Bergeron. “It would offer more game opportunities as well as the potential for a Central Alberta team.”
For more information or a schedule and times for the tournament, visit www.albertawaterpolo.ca
