A group of 27 St Andrew’s College pupils took part in a two week water polo tour to Hungary and Croatia. The aim of the tour was to develop skills and expose the boys to a higher level of water polo than they are used to.
A group of 27 St Andrew’s College pupils took part in a two week water polo tour to Hungary and Croatia. The aim of the tour was to develop skills and expose the boys to a higher level of water polo than they are used to.
The tour group was made up of a mixture of age groups from U14 to U19. The first stop on the tour was the town of Eger in the north-eastern part of Hungary.
The entire town revolved around water polo and as guests of the Water Polo Club of Eger for three days the St Andrew’s boys were treated with high regard wherever they went.
They played several training games against some strong local sides in an unique outdoor pool fed by a thermal spring with large stones covering the bottom of the pool.
The next three days were spent in Budapest, where they were privileged to play training matches at the headquarters of Hungarian water polo on Margaret Island.
They were also exposed to coaching sessions with a top Hungarian coach, learning some exciting new drills and techniques and getting important tips on how to improve.
From there they embraked on a tour of the country.First up was Lake Balaton in southern Hungary, the most popular holiday destination in the country, where they played training matches against a local side in an indoor pool, and visited the massive thermal lake at Heviz nearby.
They then moved onto Croatia, starting in the capital city, Zagreb. After a fascinating city tour which included the famous Stone Gate, the boys played training matches against the Dinamo Ghetaldus men’s side, who play professional water polo for the Croatian league.
Coupled with a coaching session with some of their top coaches, it was an excellent and invaluable learning experience.
In Zadar the boys played their training matches against a local club side in a specially marked out pool in the sea. The boys were also lucky to be able to attend some matches at the World Junior Championships in Sibenik.
The next few nights were spent in the quaint medieval town of Trogir, with training matches taking place in nearby Split against a local club side in a pool in the harbour surrounded by large yachts.
The final stop on the tour was Dubrovnik, at the southern end of the incredible Dalmation Coast. Here the boys played in the city’s new water polo stadium against another local club side.
“So much stood out on the tour that it is impossible to summarise it adequately here, but the focus and passion of the Hungarians, the warmth and friendliness of the Croatians, the amazing scenery, particularly along the Dalmation Coast, and the co-operation, positive attitude and impeccable behaviour of the boys made this a truly memorable experience for everyone on the tour and a pleasure to be a part of,” said St Andrew’s water polo coach, Graham Creese.
