Waterpolo – Wilkinson Sword League 2006: New Season welcomes return of foreign players

Malta Independent Friday, 26 May 2006, 00:00 Last update: about 14 years ago

The fixtures for the Wilkinson Sword Waterpolo season, 2006, were drawn yesterday, during a media conference held at the Radisson Hotel.

The Marketing Manager for Miller Distributors Co., Simon Debono, stressed upon the good relationship that exists between the A.S.A. and his Company, where the emphasis is on the upcoming young talent practising this sport. This is the first full season sponsored by Wilkinson Sword.

The A.S.A. president, Robbie Ebejer, in his 15th year at the helm, presided over the 61st ballot of fixtures, since 1946. He stated that, besides the promising youngsters, this season will see the return of the foreign players. He also mentioned two future dates for the Association. These were the Comen Cup for players born in 1990 and 1991, being held in Catania, and next year’s edition of the European League Championship, between the 8th and 15th of July, in Manchester.

The last speaker was Jonathan Valletta, the Sirens 2X captain, and also the current league champions. He mentioned two important points as regards the coming season, the impact of the foreign players and the new rule changes, which put more pressure on the players throughout the matches.

Jonathan Valletta was also presented with the Player of the Year Award for last season. The winner in the 2nd Division category, Mario Zammit of Valletta United, was unable to attend due to other commitments.

When the draws were made, with M’Scala Breakers, Sliema Burger King and Otters occupying set positions beforehand, the first games drawn, to be played on Friday, 9th June, were M’Scala Breakers v M’Xlokk Freeport and Sliema Burger King v San Giljan Zara. On Saturday, the day after, there are Neptunes Vodafone v Exiles and Sirens 2X v Ta Xbiex Mermaids Paradise. The Gozitan side, Otters will be taking part in the final round.

The first round ends on Saturday, 15th July, with the games, M’Scala Breakers v Sliema Burger King also qualifying for the Sportwriters Association Trophy, and Neptunes Vodafone v Sirens 2X, also valid for the President’s Cup.

The final round starts a week after, on 21st July, and ends on Saturday, 26th August. The K.O. competitiion is between Tuesday, 29th August, and Saturday, 2nd September.