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Drenched Mini Water Polo Set For HaBaWaBa International First

Water Polo School Set For International First

Drenched Mini Water Polo, based in Sussex, is ready to make history. Their under 11s are set to be the first team from the UK to participate in the world’s largest Water Polo tournament for children, HaBaWaBa International. Their coach, Matthew White explains:

“HaBaWaBa International is a unique event that will play host to over 100 teams from all over the world. We are hoping to have a lot of fun learning, making new friends and testing ourselves against teams from some of the world’s best water polo nations.”

Drenched was founded in 2016 and has been focussing on growing Water Polo in Sussex amongst children aged seven and up. Many of the players have come from local swim schools and clubs, including Aquaschool, Lancing Penguins, Billingshurst, Steyning, Worthing Swimming Club and Littlehampton Swimming Club.

Coach White continues:

“Incentives like HaBaWaBa are key to helping us inspire young players to spend more time in the pool and accelerate their progress. Before last summer, the group was playing one hour a week, but since September this has increased to between five and seven hours a week. Their improvement, in such a small timeframe, has impressed everyone.”

The tournament is held annually in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. In 2020 it will run from the 21st to the 28th of June and last year over 3,000 people watched the final.

The Drenched squad is formed of 15 children, all pictured with two of their coaches, Matt and Mihaela.

Back row: Ben Loffler, Matt White (Coach), Oliver Hunt, Aaron Lalic, Amelia Cook, Thomas Greenyer, Gloria Dimmock, Aiden McCarragher, Marley Allen, Mihaela Nicolescu (Coach), Leon Wudarczyk

Front Row: Kitty Sukumaran, Harvey Tester, Adam Rawlins, Sammy Smith, Elsie Graves, Albie Taylor

Drenched is currently recruiting for children interested in getting involved in future HaBaWaBa events and also regular mini water polo sessions across Sussex. Please see below for details of when taster sessions will take place.

Upcoming taster sessions

Monday 27th January at 6.30pm at Windlesham House School (Free HaBaWaBa trial, please read the requirements here)

Saturday 8th February at 4pm – Hurstpierpoint College (Free taster session, all abilities, ages 7 to 11) please sign up here

For taster sessions at other locations, please contact: matt@drenchedschool.co.uk

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