The first international water polo team to represent Cayman got its first taste of competition last week during the Battle of the Bay water polo tournament in Clearwater, Florida.
The event provided an opportunity to get experience, overcome the jitters and “learn valuable lessons”, according to coach Grant Ferguson, who steered the nation’s first team through a handful of exciting matches.
“The experience is full of ‘firsts’: playing in a structured team, competing in a pool, and feeling the energy of an organised match,” Ferguson told the Compass.
Despite the lack of exposure and experience, the Cayman team hit the water at the Long Aquatic Center in Clearwater with enthusiasm. Competition began with the boys, who played their first official game but fell short of obtaining favourable results.
“It was clear they were soaking up everything and applying what they learned,” Ferguson said. “Even though they didn’t come out with a win, they showed so much growth in understanding the game’s intricacies.”
It was then time for the girls to show what they’ve got, putting up a competitive fight that came down to a nail-biting penalty shootout, which Cayman ultimately lost by a single point – an effort Ferguson said was commendable.
“The determination and teamwork they displayed were unforgettable,” he said.
The action continued the following day, with the excitement palpable as Cayman prepared to face more of Florida’s top teams. The Cayman boys began with a showdown against the Gladiators, with the two teams staying neck-and-neck throughout the match. In the end, it was the Gladiators that pulled ahead with a few minutes left on the clock.
The boys then played Dynamo Gold, but once again, after a hard-fought performance, they fell short of a victory.
“Despite the losses, the boys left the pool with their heads held high, knowing they’d given everything they had,” Ferguson said.
The Cayman water polo girls closed the show in the quarter-finals against a formidable team known as the Kraken. Ferguson described it as one of the most intense matches of the tournament, with an electrifying atmosphere.
The Cayman girls matched the Kraken goal for goal, but by the end, they were trailing by a point. With a shot to the semis on the line, the girls dug deep, tying the game as the final whistle blew. That forced them into their second penalty shootout, which they lost by one point.
Though it may seem like a crushing result to some, Ferguson said the ‘L’ for the record books stands for ‘learned’ and not ‘lost’, because in his eyes, there ware no losers on his team.
“While the girls may have lost by the numbers, they won in every other way. They played with incredible spirit, skill and courage, and we couldn’t be prouder of them,” he said, noting that all of his players walked away with new friendships, connections and valuable lessons.
The Cayman national water polo team is scheduled to compete again next month at the Beast of the East tournament in Claremont, Florida.
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