The Barbados Water Polo Club has met the mark for qualification of the 2018 Junior Men’s and Women’s Pan American Championships in Clearwater, Florida.
The championships, scheduled for July, will be used as a qualifier for the Latin American and Caribbean region FINA Junior World Championships later this year.
With a new training programme implemented last year, the three water polo teams have been working diligently in preparation for this year’s CARIFTA Championships under the guidance of coaches Ryan Forde and Natalia Parris.
Last year the teams pulled out all the stops at CARIFTA, which proved to be the most successful national tournament for Barbados water polo in many years. This year would be no different as they set out on a mission to capture the top medals in their divisions.
Two boys’ teams and one girls’ team represented Barbados, and returned home with a silver medal and two bronze medals.
The 16-and-under boys defeated defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, as well powerhouses Jamaica. While they defeated each team they faced, including eventual tournament winners Bahamas, they lost the final in a nail-biting game by a single goal.
The 19-and-under boys placed third in a tough competition against Jamaica and The Bahamas. The girls made their debut in the same division and were able to secure a bronze medal.
Xavier Smith-Taylor emerged Most Valuable Player of the CARIFTA Championships with 27 goals, with Nathan James scoring the most in the 16-and-Under division, and Abijah Beckles being mentioned by FINA officials as best goalie in the region in recent times. (RA)
