The draws for the first edition of the Wilkinson Sword Waterpolo Winter League, organised by the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA), were held yesterday at the ASA office in Tal-Qroqq. The participating teams are Marsaxlokk, Neptunes, San Giljan, Sliema & Sirens.

This competition will be played on a two round robin system every Saturday, except on two occasions, with the first round starting 4 March 2006 with Sliema playing against Neptunes and Marsaxlokk playing against Sirens whilst on the 11 March, Marsaxlokk will play against Sliema and San Giljan will play against Neptunes. The second round starts Sunday 23 April 2006. A detailed schedule of matches may be found on the ASA website www.asaofmalta.org

Matches played on Saturdays are scheduled to start at 15.45 hrs and 17.00hrs, while the Sunday matches will start at 10.30hrs and 11.45hrs. Clubs may also make use of one foreign player as is the case in all of the competition organized by the ASA.

In this competition the new rules introduced recently will be implemented, whilst foreign players can play in this competition.

During the draws, Mr Robert Ebejer, ASA President, thanked Mr Simon Debono Marketing Manager - Miller Distributors, local agents and distributors of Wilkinson Sword, for their support in the promotion of Water Polo in Malta. “With the financial support we receive from our sponsors we can plan ahead. We have embarked on an ambitious long term programme which should continue to improve our sport,” said Mr Ebejer.

This competition will not only serve as a preparation programme of the local teams but it will also serve the National Team as a match practice for the European Championships.

It was also announced that following the sixth place obtained in the B European championships, Malta acquired the right to play in the qualifying round of the European A championships.

As the official sponsor of the ASA, Wilkinson Sword is sponsoring all national water polo competitions for the next three years.