INNISFAIL – Gerald Staples will compete with Alberta's best on the world stage.
The local 16-year-old water polo player made the cut for Team Alberta after tryouts in April.
He will play with the provincial team at the 2018 Pan Pacific Games from July 7 to 17 in New Zealand.
"I'm really excited to go. I really hope to grow as a player,” said Staples. “ I want to succeed and have fun with a lot of my teammates, learn about the culture down there and have a good time."
Staples has been busy preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime experience by practising with Team Alberta four times a week in Calgary.
The team left for New Zealand on July 2.
Staples has played water polo since he was eight years old, beginning here in town with the Innisfail Hurricanes for about four to five years, and later with the Calgary Torpedoes, the team he now plays with.
He attributes his success to current and past coaches and his teammates.
“Water polo is really a team-based activity. You need to know what your teammates are going to do to succeed in it,” he said. “It’s based entirely around teamwork.
“With water polo, you have to be able to work together,” he added.
One player and former coach who has had an impact on Staples is former Hurricane Quinn Layden.
"He was huge in water polo in Innisfail. He was one of the reasons I continued with the sport," explained Staples. "He pushed me (and motivated me), he got me to the point where I could actually go up to Calgary and play with him.
"He made sure we kept our swimming level up and got to the point where we could really succeed," he said.
The six-foot teenager plays a defensive role with the Calgary Torpedoes. His position is known as the hole check.
"I have to make sure I keep the ball out, that I make my team aware of where people are and what to do," he said. "Coaches describe the hole check (position) as the quarterback of water polo."
A total of 13 players, including two goalies, will play for Team Alberta in New Zealand, noted Staples, adding he will play the same role on the provincial team.
"It's really important for me to have that size," he said. "(My) height is an advantage."
In the meantime, Staples aspires to represent Canada in the Olympics.
"Water polo is a lifelong sport. I really want to continue with this sport all my life," he said. "I love it. It's an amazing sport.
"I really do hope to get on the national team and get to the level where I can play at the Olympics possibly. That's one of my goals in life,” Staples concluded.
