Marlins make a splash during season start

A SUCCESSFUL start to representative games has started Geelong Marlins’ water polo season strongly as a host of local players showed off their talents at state level.

The Marlins returned to Ballarat for a regional junior tournament earlier this month, with a mixed under-12, under-14 girls and under-14 boys teams all making the trip to represent their club.

Those teams returned to the pool alongside under-16 boys and girls sides last weekend in Melbourne, which included coaching from Australian Olympic representative Simon Asher.

The strength of the Marlins’ junior program was further highlighted by selection of three players – Lillian Currie, Charlotte Brereton and Harry Talbot – Victorian sides that recently competed in National Championships events across Australia.

Junior Marlins Program head Deb Johnson said the early results were a major accomplishment for the club as it sought to build on its success by attracting more players for summer.

“[It was] a brilliant opportunity to kick off the season, especially for some new members yet to experience a water polo tournament,” she said.

“Marlins competed in each age group, for many it was their first water polo tournament – and the smiles said it all.

“The fact is we are very strong in under-16 with three of our players being selected to represent Victoria in the recent National Championships.

“Week one has been a huge success for each of our teams and we are certainly looking forward to some exciting games over the next nine weeks.”

Meanwhile, the Marlins’ domestic season is also underway as evenings become longer and warmer in the lead-up to summer.

The club hosts training and come-and-try sessions on Monday nights at Kardinia Aquatic Centre in South Geelong from 6.30pm, which welcomes new players to take the plunge into the new sport.

Senior competitions follow for players aged 16 and up, which consists of six mixed local teams and one from Ballarat.

Games start at 7.45 on Monday nights, with new players allocated to a team.