COFFS Harbour Water Polo has hosted some of the state’s best junior players during the inaugural Water Polo NSW Banana Bowl under 12 water polo tournament.

Nine teams from across NSW competed in the first event, held at the Coffs Harbour War Memorial Olympic Pool.

Coffs Harbour Water Polo Club’s team were awarded the Spirit of the Tournament award.

Lake Macquarie Dolphins won the Banana Splits Division, while Sydney University Water Polo won the Banana Bunches Division.

Coffs Harbour Water Polo Club president Peter Goddard said it was a great experience for the Coffs juniors to play against top visiting teams.

“It was good for our kids to be playing against other players, and in a sport in which they think they are the only ones who play it,” he said.

“It showed them they are not the only ones playing it, as we had 70 other players at the tournament.

““We had teams visit from Sydney, the Central Coast, and Tamworth.

“Even when they were playing the strong teams they kept their composure and they learnt something from it.

“You get better every time you play the better teams, and when they got their first win they were ecstatic and jumping out of their skin.”

The proud president said it was a great honour for the club to receive the Spirit of the Tournament award.

“Our kids played in the right spirit of the game, and the visiting teams liked the way our kids conducted themselves,” he said.

“It’s a great honour for the kids and for the club, as it shows we are playing the right way.”

Coffs Harbour Water Polo Club’s season is currently underway, with games held each Monday night from 6pm at the Coffs Harbour War Memorial Pool.

Junior games start at 6pm, while seniors start at 7.15pm.

By Aiden BURGESS