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Hurricanes building through season

The Innisfail Hurricanes water polo team is almost halfway through the season and is starting to look towards provincials, which will take place in Calgary in March.

The Innisfail Hurricanes water polo team is almost halfway through the season and is starting to look towards provincials, which will take place in Calgary in March.

The 24 polo players train three times a week working on their swimming and their technical polo skills.

This year the Hurricanes have joined with the High River Dolphins for several training sessions to give the athletes a chance to play at a higher level.

“They are also a small, young team and we are trying to get the kids involved and provide a high level of water polo for them,” said Meridel Layden, with the Innisfail Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes are still a relatively new club, getting its start in Innisfail three years ago. However, the players are now starting to really get an understanding of the game and are really improving, said Layden.

The Hurricanes have played tournaments in High River, Okotoks, Edmonton, and Innisfail, all of which have been learning experiences.

“The tournaments are really good for the kids because it gives them a chance to play against teams that are really good and that take this really seriously,” said Layden.

Hurricanes coach Megan Graville, who played polo for the University of Hawaii, and assistant coaches Rashelle Wagers and Elliott Layden say they have also seen great improvement in the players throughout the season.

“They have been doing really well, for most of them this is only their second year so they are now starting to get the game,” said Wagers.

Wagers has played water polo for the U16 national water polo team for two years and trains with the national team in Calgary and Edmonton.

She said that she has started coaching because it is a good way to give back and she enjoys working with the young players.

“I like to watch as they start to progress and improve their skills and become more confident,” said Wagers.

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