Five Lisburn boys qualify for Ulster Under 16 squad

Five Lisburn boys with their Coach Nathan Taylor, who have recently been selected for the Ulster Waterpolo Under 16 squad, which has never happened before. A big congratulations to all of them. From left to right: Connor Mason, Adam Cushley, Cameron Loan, Jake Cochrane, Andrew Edgar and Nathan Taylor (coach).

In a first for the city, Connor Mason, Adam Cushley, Cameron Loan, Jake Cochrane, Andrew Edgar will represent Ulster next year.

Connor Mason, Andrew Edgar and Cameron Loan are all pupils at Friends’ School, whilst Adam Cushley attends Fort Hill.

Jake Cochrane, Andrew and Cameron all came from the competitive swimming side and made a transition into water polo, although they had to master all the ball skills that go with it, which is not an easy task.

Adam and Connor did not come from the competitive swimming background as they just picked up water polo since its been at Lisburn, they have had to work hard, if not harder than the other players, to master the swimming element of water polo.

They will be representing Ulster in Hungary with the trip planned to take place in March 2016.

Nathan Taylor, Head of water polo at Lisburn, said: “Water polo is not a sport that has ever occurred in Lisburn, I myself an ex Lisburn swimmer, did not get the opportunity to play for our city. It was not until about 5 years ago we proposed to start it up on a trial basis and it has kicked off since then.

“With the boys competing in the Irish under 16 competition, which is being held in Lisburn in the first weekend of February, this is Lisburn’s chance to show that they mean business and a team to be taken seriously for future competitions.

“I’d also like to thank the ongoing support from the parents of the boys, it’s been a long and hard road to get to this point and won’t get any easier, but we will keep battling until we are at the top.

“I’d also like to thank Lisburn City Swimming Club with the backing of this venture who have shown me that anything possible with the continuing support.

“Finally I’d like to congratulate the boys on their success and continuing commitment to the sport.”

Lisburn Water Polo began when a workshop was delivered on how to introduce Mini Polo in the Learn to Swim Programme.

Now they have full members training for the sport, as well as a development programme for young players of all abilities. For more details visit www.lisburncityswimmingclub.org/water-polo/