Cayman’s first international water polo team is taking form with eight players set to compete on Saturday, 9 Nov., at the Battle of the Bay Water Polo Tournament in Clearwater, Florida.
Coach Grant Ferguson, who has been on a mission to make the sport a staple in the country, noted to the Compass that the competition marks a significant step forward for Cayman’s budding water polo community.
“This is an amazing opportunity for our athletes to experience a high level of competition and gain exposure to international play and make some new friends,” Ferguson told the Compass.
The Cayman team, consisting of Ben and Leila Coak, Lucrezia Scerrati, Valentina Campbell, Georgina Head, Patryk Plata and Jake and Kacey Fagan, has been through a rigorous training regimen, which has prepared them to give their all, Ferguson said.
“In just eight weeks, we’ve seen incredible progress from non-water polo players to confident competitors now ready to represent Cayman,” he said. “This experience will undoubtedly shape their development and inspire our water polo community for years to come.”
The trip to Clearwater is one of two international competitions schedule before the year is out, with plans to take another team to Orlando, Florida in December.
“The growth of water polo in the Cayman Islands has been remarkable, with programmes expanding across schools, including John Gray High School, Grace Academy, and Boyz2Men,” Ferguson said.
His first major goal for the sport is to send a squad to CARIFTA – and win. He stated previously to the Compass that he wanted to do so with Caymanians who are considered ‘at-risk’ to help give them new hope in life.
“John Gray High School’s team has captured the attention of both the local community and prospective sponsors, who see the potential of this developing sport,” he said.
“As excitement builds for the BOTB tour, the Cayman Islands is on the brink of becoming a recognised name in the world of water polo, with these young athletes blazing the trail.”
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