Last weekend, Durham Water Polo Club, Sedgefield Water Polo Club and Durham University came together to host their first joint charity tournament at Freeman’s Quay. Players of all ages and abilities took part. While younger members gave their all in races and games needing water polo skills in the shallow end, teams of older players fought out tough and exciting games of mini polo in the deep end. This gave way to some exciting, fast paced and challenging games in the whole pool 2m depth, culminating in a tense final. Some impressive displays of skill were seen and all participants put in maximum effort, ably and enthusiastically cheered on by a crowd of family and friends. Generous donations to a raffle meant the teams raised funds for NEPACS and Pink Ribbon Foundation whilst the University donated to MIND.
If you don’t know about water polo, a rough way to describe it is a something like basketball and football crossed with rugby. Players ‘tread water’ to remain afloat, tackle each other, swim fast, pass the ball using one hand and try to land the ball in the back of a net having defeated the defence and beaten the goalie. It’s exciting, fast paced and players develop a high level of fitness. Anyone interested in trying the sport can contact either of the clubs by email: Durham: durhamcitysecretary@gmail.com; Sedgefield: sedgefieldwp@hotmail.com; or University: DUwaterpolo@yahoo.com
