OLYMPIC WATER POLO PLAYERS GIVEN GOOD NEWS WITH NEW KAP7 CUP

After the cancellation of the 2021 Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) yesterday, Australia’s Olympic water polo hopefuls have been given a reprieve with Sydney clubs set to play from 1-3 April in Sydney in the KAP7 Cup.

Water Polo Australia was still eager to still provide its Tokyo Olympic squad members with the chance to participate in high quality competition to ensure their preparations for the Olympic Games remained in hand.

Water Polo Australia together with Water Polo New South Wales and the AWL Clubs have worked around the clock to develop a three day tournament that will provide high caliber competition that allows athletes the opportunity to put their training to good use.

Aussie Stingers players from other NSW, QLD  and WA teams will be drafted into the four sides to bolster the ranks and give them much needed game time.  The Aussie Sharks squad members already formed part of the top four teams. QLD Stingers who have been based on the Sunshine Coast, outside of the Greater Brisbane area are able to play, and have passed their COVID Tests.

WPA General Manager Performance, Charles Turner, said with the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers in Sydney, it provided a great opportunity to ensure some game time could be achieved.

“Our Club based programs form an important part of our Olympic preparations so we were eager to ensure our Aussie Sharks and Stingers were able to participate in high quality games which the Australian Waterpolo League always provides.

“Our KAP7 Aussie Sharks are largely based at NSW Institute of Sport and our Aussie Stingers thankfully have been based on the Sunshine Coast, outside of Greater Brisbane, but we have relocated them to Sydney as well.

“The Australian Waterpolo League has a proud tradition in our water polo community and it will be great to see the top four Sydney teams go head to head to not only give players the chance to compete, but fans across Australia the opportunity to tune in.

“With just over 100 days to go until the Olympic Games, all competition will form an important building block towards Tokyo,” he said.

In the men’s competition UNSW Magpies, Sydney Uni Lions, UTS Balmain Tigers and Drummoyne Devils will battle it out with the women’s competition to feature Sydney Uni Lions, UTS Balmain Tigers, Drummoyne Devils and ACU Cronulla Sharks.

Water Polo New South Wales CEO, Alex Godbold, said he was pleased WPNSW was able to support the Sydney team and WPA high performance squads.

“Water Polo NSW was very eager to work with Water Polo Australia to ensure the Aussie Sharks and Stingers along with some of our top Sydney based Clubs, could have the opportunity to still compete.

“We know that these competitions are important for the Australian team athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games and we were keen to support wherever possible,” he said.

The KAP7 Cup will run from the 1-3 April will be in Sydney, with final venues to be announced soon.

Finals on Saturday 3 April will be live streamed across News Corp Australia 11am - 5pm - sign up here. *Streaming times for Finals of each medal match to be announced prior to Saturday.