A32 The Delta Optimist April 28, 2010
Stingrays water polo program making a big splash MARK BOOTH
The Ladner Stingrays have wasted little time in making an impact on the provincial water polo scene. It was three years ago when the summer swim club recognized a void and launched its own water polo program. Stingray members are now playing for regional and provincial teams. Four of them suited up for Pacific Storm teams at a prestigious tournament last month in California. Robb Arundel and Andrew Milligan helped the U14 boys win a bronze medal, while Jordan Bradley was a member of the Storm’s third place U14 girls squad. Bobby Hider suited up for the U16 boys team which finished seventh against
some strong competitors. The U14s then headed to the Siesta Tournament in Seattle where they captured gold. The U16s will conclude the winter season at the Nationals in Regina over the Victoria Day Weekend. Attention has turned closer to home where the Stingrays are gearing up for what should be a promising summer season. The U14 squad has several players, including Ryan Von Ende, Sam Lee and Joey Arundel, who are coming off playing the fall/winter season with the South Fraser Sharks. The Stingrays welcome even more players to expand the program for the 2010 campaign which slated to start early next month. “It’s a lot of neat skills
that you use in water polo,” explained Willy Arundel, the program’s director. “Baseball players can really throw the ball and soccer skills come in handy when you are looking for the open man. Swimming fast is a great skill as it can get you on breakaways or back to defend.” Arundel also pointed out the sport isn’t specifically for strong swimmers as novice players can learn from the shallow end of the pool. “You can always teach someone to swim,” he said. “It really is a feel game where you don’ have to be the fastest swimmer or the tallest kid.” Water polo is also a rare coed sport with the summer season rules insisting at least three of the opposite
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Ladner Stingrays water polo program has rapidly become a force in the sport, enjoying success in the summer season and sending players to higher levels. sex must in the game at all times. The season typically features mid-week practices and tournaments on the weekend. It concludes with the regional championships in early August.
Arundel also points to the many opportunities water polo provides After having just one Stingray playing in the fall season in 2007, 12 suited up this past year and eight of them are now playing for
spring elite programs. At this level, teams typically train 11 hours per week. Registration for the Stingrays water polo program is currently underway. Visit www.ladnerstingrays. com for more information.
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