Wagga Water Polo president Josh Paul believes the city can become one of the regional epicentres of the sport after facility upgrades were rewarded with NSW Junior Country Club Championships hosting rights.
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Over 300 players will converge on Oasis Aquatic Centre for the championships this weekend, with Wagga to field six teams in the under-14 and under-16 divisions contested.
It comes after Oasis Aquatic Centre also hosted the NSW Combined High Schools Secondary Schools Championships in November, and Paul says more events are on the way.
"It's been a lot of years since Wagga's held a competitive championships, so we've improved the facilities including the ability to play two games at once in the one pool,:" he said.
"It's looking like we'll be getting more championships coming this way at all levels and that's because of the facilities, we're rated the number one regional centre in NSW.
"We've spent about $35,000 upgrading our scoring systems, new lane ropes and playing venues, goals and equipment to bring it up to a standard that Sydney state teams use."
Two Bidgeegator squads in the under-14 boys and under-14 girls divisions will be nominated for the tournament, along with an under-16 girls and under-16 boys team.
"We've got six teams, the biggest participation rate of any association," Paul said.
"It shows Wagga water polo is bringing in new members, lifting the standard and trying to give regional kids the opportunities that city kids have.
"NSW Water Polo is doing a lot for regional development and giving country kids more chances and the more participation and standard they see, the better.
"The event's great for Wagga, the families visiting pack out the motels and pubs and spend their money in the city."
Matches will begin at 8am on Saturday, with finals scheduled to commence at 2:10pm on Sunday.
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