Squad selected for men's U19 European Junior Champs qualifiers

A squad of 15 English players has been named as the British team travelling to Turkey for the Men’s European U19 Water Polo Championships 2016 qualification tournament.

Taking place from 4 – 8 May, the event will see Great Britain aiming to finish in the top two in their group to qualify for the finals in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands from 11 – 18 September.

The Brits have been draw in Group B of the Men’s European U19 Water Polo Championships 2016 qualification stage, and will take on Montenegro, Israel, Belgium and hosts Turkey in Istanbul.

“Our U19 players have been working very hard and there is a real unity between them,” head coach Tim Dunsbee

The squad includes City of Manchester goalkeeper Dylan Green, who was named England Water Polo Athlete of the Year in 2015, as well as six members of last year’s English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA) team.

Speaking after the squad announcement, U19 head coach Tim Dunsbee said: “This section was very difficult as all our under 19 players have been working very hard and there is a real unity between them.

“Our final preparations are well underway with four further training events prior to the qualification tournament, including our pre-tournament camp in Malta.”

Team selected for Men’s European U19 Water Polo Championships 2016 qualification tournament:

• Aaron Winstanley (captain) – City of Manchester
• Dan Paddon (vice-captain) – City of Manchester/Chelmsford
• Dylan Green – City of Manchester
• Joe Hazeldine – Worthing
• Ben Riding – City of Manchester
• Chris Ray – City of Manchester
• Matt Kelly – Solihull
• Kameron Powell – Exeter
• Matt Madden – Solihull
• Joel Leighton – City of Sheffield
• Jordan Elliot – Solihull
• Ashley Castle – Bristol Central
• Peter Pickford – Watford
• Rob Gourley – City of Manchester (reserve)
• Rudi Polster – Cheltenham (reserve)