Malta has been hit with water polo fever this month as they have hosted the Senior Men EU Nations Water Polo Cup this year. We are proud to announce that we have three club players representing the Wales National Senior Men Water Polo Squad. Congratulations to Alun Chesworth-Rickards, Jacob Edwards and Lewis Gilmour. These individuals have helped to continue the club's impressive national player involvement and reputation. It is always pleasing for our players to achieve international recognition and to attain an exceptional reputation at such a prodigious level.
The Wales National Senior Men Water Polo Squad started their EU Nations Water Polo Cup campaign against the mighty South Africa, an incredibly tough team to play as an opening game. South Africa won comprehensively, however Wales battled admirably all throughout the match. Their next opponents were Austria and Ireland, who were also difficult nations to face. Wales were beaten in both games, but played in commendable fashion and made it a much closer encounter to the defeat against South Africa. Despite losing the first three games, Wales did not lose spirit ahead of their clash against Lithuania. The two nations produced an enthralling match - and one the lads from Wales snatched a victory from with a dramatic late winner! The three Dragons had helped the nation clinch a superb EU Nations Water Polo Cup win! Wales completed their EU Nations Water Polo Cup campaign against Denmark before returning back home. Outsanding feat by the trio, well done lads!
Since returning, Alun Chesworth-Rickards has talked about his experience: "Flying out to Malta for the senior men's EU nations has made me realise how much I enjoy water polo but also how I like meeting new challenges - we had to face faster, stronger and just generally bigger teams. This inspired me to work harder and had made me realise I am closer to making it than I originally thought. It was amazing to play in an outdoor pool in such amazing weather. When I got a phone call about playing, I had loads of things going through my mind like: would I fit in, would I get much game time. I was worried I would not enjoy being with all the seniors but they made me feel like I was very much a part of the team. During games, I didn't feel out of place or out of the level and I think that is due to the help and sport we were given in training and before games preparing the juniors for the step up to seniors.".
Jacob Edwards has also given his take on his Maltese adventure: "It was an absolute honour and a privilege to represent the senior men's team for the first time in Malta recently. This tournament marked just how much me, Lewis, Alun and the other lads have progressed over the years and was an exciting new challenge for us all to face. Playing against physically bigger and stronger players, we held our own and played with pride in representing our country. There's no better feeling than playing the sport you love, for the country you love in the blazing sunshine. Having said that, there's no way that any of us would have been able to achieve this goal without the undying help and support of the Cwm Draig coaches and our parents, who have helped nurture us from a young age, into the players we are today. It is an honour to represent such a great club. At the end of the day, this is only the start of a long journey and there's a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it's proof that dreams can come true, as I have wanted to represent the senior team ever since my formative years as a youngster. The memories will certainly stay with me for a lifetime!"
Lewis Gilmour has also commented on how much of an honour it was to represent the Wales Senior Men's team and that they thoroughly enjoyed the amazing experience. Furthermore, our Head Coach Darryl clarified on his thoughts: "These young men have trained hard to get there. Shows what can be achieved by dedicated people. The club is getting better and stronger as the recent results have shown. Glad to play a small part in it."
The club's reputation of producing nation representatives has been enhanced once again, and certainly not for the first time. Very recently, numerous players from our club have played for Wales for the European Nations / U18s Water Polo Championship in Vienna, earlier this year. In addition, a number of our club players have travelled with the Wales national water polo squad for tournaments in Malta, Prague and Copenhagen. 26 club members have represented Wales at inter-regional and international level for various age squads - from Senior Men & Women to Junior Men & Women, Youth Boys & Girls and Academy Boys & Girls. Additionally, we have numerous junior players who play for their respective Great Britain national water polo age group teams. Furthermore, the club has had three club members were selected to represent Wales in the Commonwealth Competition in Scotland in 2014 ahead of the Commonwealth Games and a representative in the Great Britain men's national water polo team.
We at Cwm Draig hope the trio and all the other players representing their nation continue to develop and progress on the national stage. We feel blessed as a club to have been associated with these hard-working, inspirational individuals and want their adventures and endeavours in the sport to proceed for a long time.
Team photo of the Wales National Senior Squad!
(From left to right) The trio from the Dragons: Alun Chesworth-Rickards, Jacob Edwards and Lewis Gilmour!