Southern Highland Water polo is back and looking to make a splash in 2020-21 season.
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After a shortened 2019-2020 season and a slight delay to the beginning of this season, the Southern Highland Water Polo Club are ready to egg-beat their way out of the deep COVID waters.
October 13, 2020 was when the season opener was scheduled to begin, but after hard work the Seniors competition is only a week late and the juniors are right on time.
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Southern Highland Water Polo Director, Miles Lochhead said getting the competitions underway was a mission in itself.
"It's been a bit challenging as imagined," Lochhead said
"But, we're going pretty well considering. The competition is late, but that was inevitable.
"We've got a good registration now and the juniors have had two weeks of competition.
"Seniors have only got the one week, but everyone is going pretty well.
"We're still shuffling players around to make it an even competition, but we usually have that problem due to the range of players we have in the competition.
"We've had a lot of support from Water Polo NSW which has been extremely appreciated.
"We're getting there and everyone seems to be enjoying playing water polo again."
COVID regulations have seen changes to the usual, but players and volunteers are adhering to these rules and making the best of it to play the sport they love.
"All junior competition has been transferred to the Mittagong Pool," Lochhead said.
"There's just too many people in one area from the COVID perspective.
"The senior competition is okay at Frensham due the players being able to drive themselves, but juniors need parental assistance getting to-and-from the pool.
"So their competition has been transferred to the Mittagong Pool.
"It's all fine until we get bad weather (laughs). I heard it was pretty cold last game out, so with the kids out there with not much cover they're suffering a bit.
"This is my 40th year playing and I remember when the pools weren't heated, so I don't have too much sympathy (laughs)."
As well as the club has done through the rough year, the association is still accepting new volunteers and players and with an opportunity to go as far as the recruit wants, it's an excellent opportunity.
"All people running the club are life members and patrons," Lochhead said.
"There's north of 100 years of service to the club, we're getting old and crotchety (laughs). I say that in tongue and cheek!
"We do ask for people to step up, but there is resistance to put their hands up. It's always a challenge across all sports to find volunteers. We're always looking for members and players.
"We have training and coaching opportunities to help them along. It's fun, it's healthy and it's COVID safe."
A long time writer, player and life member David Chandler recently retired. He was a much loved member of the Southern Highlands Water Polo Club, and an excellent writer.
"Dave has been an excellent stalwart and with the club close to 30 years," Lochhead said.
"He's a life member, and has contributed as a scribe for us. He's written tens of thousands of words describing games, sending in stories and taking photos.
"He's been a great stalwart, a great player, this is the first year he hasn't played.
"He was our oldest member, and now I have reached that status, so thanks for that Dave (laughs).
"We will miss him, but he won't be gone forever. He has family in Canberra he sees on playing days, but I know we'll see more of him in the near future."
If you are interested in playing or volunteering please email the Southern Highland Water Polo Club at: shwpboard@outlook.com.
You can stay up to date with the competition and club news on their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/shwaterpolo.
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