Youngsters from Rhondda Cynon Taf’s own mini water polo team are celebrating after winning a tournament in Devon.
Members of RCT Dragons took part in the Paignton Mini Water Polo Festival, held at Torbay Leisure Centre for the third year running, and once again brought the winning trophy back to Rhondda Cynon Taf. They won the first festival in 2008 and came third last year.
The players who represented the Dragons come from all over Rhondda Cynon Taf. They are: Jacob Edwards (captain) Lewis Gilmour, Ryan Lineham, Steffan Geary, Morgan Griffiths, Alisha Lineham, Seren Jones Reddy, Mia Edwards and Nathan Geary.
Coach Darryl Ward thanked the players for their commitment over the past year.
“It was great to see the team playing some outstanding polo on their way to winning the tournament, with the youngest player getting on the score sheet. There was a great defensive effort from all players and some brilliant goal keeping by Steffan, with Lewis getting goals for us at important times,” he said.
The team train on Thursdays and Saturdays at Aberdare Pool and there are also opportunities to take part in mini polo at Rhondda Sports Centre, Ystrad. For more information please contact Darryl Ward at Aberdare Pool on 01685 874252.
Dragons coach Darryl also has cause for celebration himself recently – after being named Welsh coach for the under-13s and 15s in water polo.
Darryl, of Ynyshir, Rhondda, is based at Aberdare Pool and has worked for the Council’s Leisure department for more than 20 years. He learnt to swim in Bronwydd Pool when it was an open-air facility 40 years ago.
Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Cllr Robert Bevan, said: “Congratulations both to the team and coach! Water polo in Rhondda Cynon Taf is having a revival with a new Water Polo consultant taking a major interest in developing the game at grassroots level.”
