Athletes from the Estevan Sharks water polo club will be competing with Team Sask. in the Alberta Open later in the month.
Mikayla Hack, and Josie, Alex and Charlotte Andrist are in the 12-and-under division, and Emily Marshall and Taeghen Hack are playing in the 14-and-under division.
In the boys 12-and-under division Cameron Gillingham is representing Estevan at the Alberta Open.
Gillingham, along with Logan Marshall, Matthew Getschel also play in the boys 14U western league.
The female athletes also compete on the Prairie Sask. team in the 14U western league and have had a successful season so far, winning all of their games but one.
In the league there are two Sask. teams and one Manitoba team. The top two teams advance to the 14U Western Finals in Calgary to play the B.C and Alberta teams.
Team Prairie Sask. along with the other Sask. team will be advancing to the tournament.
So far the season has been a learning experience for the members.
“I’ve learned to play properly at my positions with my group in Estevan and my group for team Sask. I’ve learned how to play properly with each other, how to make a team and play good with each other and not rough,” said Taeghen Hack.
Both are getting started with their water polo careers and this season has really helped them with their development. Mikayla Hack said she has learned to spin the ball and the assistance from her local coaches has helped her prepare for Team Sask.
Teaghen added that the local Sharks program has helped her provincial play.
“My mom as a coach has helped me learn how to play stronger and how to improve my abilities that I have learned from years before to play for team Sask.,” she said.
They practice three times a week with the Estevan club and to be a part of the western league they have to attend at least one water polo camp in Regina. They've already attended three camps this year.
Over the weekend they played with team Sask. and for the Sharks.
Gillingham is in his first year of competitive water polo and has enjoyed the season so far.
When team Sask. competed in provincials earlier this year they won gold.
“We started horribly the first game and then got better and won,” he said.
Throughout the season he said that he improved by becoming a better shooter and swimming faster.
So far his water polo experience has been “awesome” and he will continue to compete the sport.
Gillingham was in action this weekend and will play with team Sask. in mid-March.
The Sharks water polo club will be competing in provincials in the last weekend of March.
