World Youth Water Polo Championships

Most of the 34 teams have arrived in Perth for the first-ever FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships. These championships are for the best 18 and under players in the world and it is the second time this age group has been staged — the first boys’ and girls’ championships with Croatia boys winning in Sibenik, Croatia and Russia girls winning in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia — both in 2009.

This is the first time that a junior water polo event has seen both gender categories playing at the same venue at the same time. We will wade through 118 matches in 10 days with some days throwing up 16 matches, keeping athletes and officials busy.

With the wind abated, the skies much clearer than they have been, it looks like another great championship will unfold in a Challenge Stadium that has twice before witnessed the world junior women’s championships, let alone two open FINA Championships, a women’s World Cup, a Commonwealth Water Polo Championships, an Olympic Qualification Tournament for men and in 2008 the FINA World Masters Championships.

Bring on the championships!