Water polo world champion in the house
Sergi Cabanas Pedro and Ecaterina Silisteanu mix with some local water polo players during a training session. Photo Peter Jones.
Members of the Marlborough water polo fraternity relished a recent opportunity to benefit from more high-profile coaching.
They were treated to a session in the Stadium 2000 pool alongside Sergi Cabanas Pedro, a member of the Spanish national team that recently won the world championships. He was joined by former Romanian player Ecaterina Silisteanu, now manager of the University of Hawaii team which competes on the US college circuit.
They shared their knowledge and expertise with a group of Marlborough under-16-18 boys’ and girls’ players during a three-hour session.
The pair are currently working their way around New Zealand in a camper van and follow in the footsteps of a previous visitor to Marlborough, US Olympian Tony Azevedo, who has also held sessions at the local pool and recommended the opportunity to Sergi and Ecaterina.
Sergi says that although there are obviously more young players involved in his home country, with the sport being part of their DNA, the enthusiasm levels in New Zealand are similar.
“There is plenty of talent here, but maybe not so many opportunities for the New Zealand kids at the moment. It is lovely to work with these kids – they listen to you, just be looking at their face you can see they are very keen to learn.”
“It is a great opportunity for me too to see how water polo is growing around the world and also for them to meet and talk to someone who is playing at the top level.”
Ekaterina said that, “opportunities to meet a world champion don’t come every day – just to see how he works and how he moves in the water – it is amazing for them.”
Both Sergi and Ekaterina were competitive swimmers who moved on to water polo.
Swimming is great for your body but it can get a little repetitive … we both switched to water polo to get into a more dynamic and team sport. It builds discipline, resilience and teamwork – values that these kids need if they are going to become professionals in water polo and can carry into the rest of their lives,” she added.