WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS HEAD BACK TO MANCHESTER
Manchester will host the LEN European B Championships 2009
for Women after successfully staging the men's event earlier
this year.
Manchester Aquatics Centre will host the event which brings
international water polo back to the city for the second time
in as many years.
As well as allowing Britain's female water polo players compete
in a world-class event on home soil, the Championships provide
another opportunity for British Swimming staff and volunteers
to gain valuable experience of hosting international events
in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games.
At this year's LEN European B Championships Women in Prague,
Britain's squad came home with the silver medal and goalkeeper
Rosemary Morris being crowned Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
The women's team has made significant progress since Head
Coach Szilveszter Fekete came into post with all of the team
now based in Manchester.
British Swimming Sponsorship and Events Director Katie Brazier
sees the event as key in the governing body's preparations
ahead of 2012.
"We are delighted to have been awarded the Championships
which follows on from successfully hosting the men's event
earlier this year," said Brazier.
"Hosting these events gives our athletes the chance
to take part in international competition and for us to further
develop our event management and officiating as well as giving
extra experience to our volunteers."
Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Arts and Leisure
for Manchester City Council, was keen to express his thoughts.
"Manchester is delighted to be chosen to host the LEN
European B Water Polo Championships 2009 Women. Following
the success of the 2007 Men's event, we will be looking to
continue the development of the sport in the City in partnership
with British Swimming," he said.
"We are also delighted that Manchester is gaining recognition
as the home of British Water Polo and will continue to work
with the governing body to further strengthen the sport before
the London 2012 Olympics."
UK Sport's Senior Events Consultant, Martin Morton, said
that the confirmation of the 2009 women's event was another
promising step forward for the sport, and the National Lottery
backed World Class Events Programme.
"UK Sport is again very pleased to be supporting British
Swimming and the development of water polo by providing both
financial support and ongoing advice for the successful hosting
of world-class events. The LEN European B Championships will
only add to what is becoming a strong year for European level
competition hosted by the UK in 2009," said Morton.
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