Welcome Back Torpedo's and Renegade Families August 31 2011

Wow! What a summer for so many club members -- so many kids will be coming back to club Polo 1 and 2 years more advanced than they left.

This summer 9 Torpedo Men ( Scott , Oliver , Jared and Robin on the National team, Devon on the 94 National team, Paul, Lazar, Liam and Neven on the 96 National Team) and 10 Renegade Women (Emily on the National Team, Brooke and Elise on the FISU team, Kelly, Shelby, Rae, Julia and Cara on the Jr National Team, Sami and Kindred on the 94 National Team) represented Canada at various international events - in fact some still are -- Junior Women's Worlds September 11-17 -- with 5 of our girls on the roster of 13. Yes I know we could even have more!!

Most special congratulations to Sami and Kindred - Pan Am U17 Gold Medallists !!!

I was lucky enough to watch the World Championships in China and a double thrill - to watch my Renegade daughter, Emily, play and come back the next day to watch 4 Torpedo 's play for our Men's team.

We must have a pretty special program and to that end I have worked over the summer to make sure we have as much quality as expected going forward:

Luke Catto having given us his heart and soul will be taking a coaching break to solidify his engineering career -- (don't know when but I expect him back some day sooner than later). To replace him we have secured the services of Olympian and 2005 Torpedo Senior National Champion Nathaniel Miller -- it wasn't easy to find a person of Luke's passion but if the past is any indicator Nathaniel will bring an outstanding competitive philosophy that leaves no stone unturned. Just a small piece of history Nathaniel previously coached Torpedo teams to Silver (Cadet) and Bronze (Youth) National medals .

I have also been able to sign full time my oldest daughter Julie Csikos to head up the U18 girls, she will team up with Ellen Rafferty who will coach, whenever possible and on most competitions, Ellen is pursuing a Masters degree in Saskatoon, much closer than Manchester !! These two along with cadet Head Coach Brooke Zimmerman and Bantam coach Hayley Wade gives us the most formidable group of young female coaches in the country.

Last season the Combined clubs had one of the best seasons ever for Calgary Water Polo - however this year we are even stronger -- the boys will build on their two medals last year Sr and Cadet , while the girls will defend their U18 title and look to retake the Cadet top spot and I think steal Gold from Montreal clubs for the first time at U22 . At the end of each season I calculate how we do vs all the countries top clubs last year my calculations had us second to CAMO -- that will not be acceptable this year . How about we raise the bar and shoot for the following medals in every Nationals with at least 3 of them Gold !!!

The fun and games starts September 7th -- let's get a early start with some international Polo cheering on Scott Robinson , Jared McElroy, Oliver Vikalo and Robin Randall as they carry Torpedo colours in their quest for a 2012 Olympic spot vs Russia September 5th 7pm at Talisman. A great night for reunion for all of Calgary Water Polo.

Wishing everyone a worthwhile and enjoyable season.

John Csikos
Head Coach