When the draws for the Wilkinson Sword winter league were made yesterday, Neptunes and Sirens were given the honour to kick off the competition on 22 April at 10.30am. San Giljan Zara will face Sliema Macdonalds.
The league is organised in preparation for the more popular summer league and to give all players, including the national youth team, much needed match practice in view of their international commitments during the summer.
The youth team will be playing against all the other four clubs but they will be out of competition.
The competition proper goes on till 27 May with the clashes between big rivals Neptunes and Sliema scheduled for 5 and 26 May.
Robert Ebejer, ASA president, said yesterday that the youth team this year will be taking part in the European Youth Championships in September. The team, under the charge of Tony Farrugia, has been preparing since October and these matches will serve them in good stead.
Ebejer also said that the national team will be playing in the European B championships in Manchester, England, next July.
He thanked Wilkinson Sword for their continued sponsorship of waterpolo in Malta.
Simon Debono, marketing manager of Miller Distributors Ltd, local agents and distributors for Wilkinson Sword, said the company was glad to be sponsoring this sport and added that it was indeed encouraging to see the game reaching new and interesting heights. He augured a successful season, perhaps even better than that of last year.
Wilkinson Sword support all the national waterpolo competitions organised by the ASA.
The following is the programme:
Sunday 15 April: 11.30am Neptunes-National Youth team.
Sunday 22 April: 10.30am Neptunes-Sirens; 11.30am San Giljan-Sliema
Saturday 28 April: 4.30pm San Giljan-Neptunes; 5.45pm Sirens-Sliema
Sunday 29 April: 11.30am San Giljan-National Youth team
Tuesday 1 May: 11.30am National Youth team-Sliema
Saturday 5 May: 4.30pm Sirens-San Giljan; 5.45pm Neptunes-Sliema
Sunday 6 May: 11.30am Sirens-National Youth team
Saturday 12 May: 4.30pm Sirens-Neptunes; 5.45pm Sliema-San Giljan
Sunday 13 May: 11.30am National Youth team-Sirens
Saturday 19 May: 4.30pm Neptunes-San Giljan; 5.45pm Sliema-Sirens
Sunday 20 May: 11.30pm National Youth team-San Giljan
Saturday 26 May: 4.30pm San Giljan-Sirens; 5.45pm Sliema-Neptunes
Sunday 27 May: 11.30am National Youth team-Neptunes
Sunday 3 June: 11.30am Sliema-National Youth team
After the draws, Mr Debono presented the Div. II player of the Year award for last season to Mario Zammit. He was unavailable last season when the presentations were made.