Drenched Mini Water Polo first English team at HaBaWaBa International

Drenched Mini Water Polo is to become the first English team to compete at the HaBaWaBa International.

The festival, which takes place in Italy, is the largest children’s water polo event in the world – with all the players aged between the ages of six and 11 years old.

Drenched coach Matt White is taking a squad of 15 to Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, for the prestigious tournament between 21-28 June.

He said: “HaBaWaBa International is a unique event that will play host to more than 100 teams from all over the world.

“We are hoping to have a lot of fun learning, making new friends and testing ourselves against teams from some of the world’s best water polo nations.”

The 2019 final was watched by more than 3,000 people and one of the players at West Sussex-based Drenched, Aaron Lalic, is looking forward to the challenge.

Memorable experience

He said: “It feels amazing and I am very proud to be a part of the first UK squad to attend such a big tournament, I am very excited.

“We have worked so hard with our training and I would obviously like us to do really well, but regardless of how we do, the experience will stay with me forever.

“I love my water polo and I have been playing it for four years now with Drenched Mini Water Polo.

“It is really fun and started off as a hobby but very quickly became my passion.

“I hope that one day I will be able to play water polo for the men’s English team.”

The Drenched squad consists of 15 players in total.