Waterpolo National Championship 2005 title holders 2X Sirens started off this season’s Wilkinson Sword National Water Polo Championship with a breezing victory over their opponents, Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids. Once again, 2X Sirens are led by coach John Farrugia. After a 15 year lapse following coaching of the Sirens junior team, John Farrugia is now in his second year of coaching - this time with the senior team. As a player, John won one League Championship and four Knock Outs while last year, during his first year of coaching, his team 2X Sirens won the National Water Polo Championship 2005. John has spent all his career with Sirens, both as a player and as a coach.
Every player in 2X Sirens team is a valid performer. Despite his young age, 18 year old Tyson Debono started training at the age of 9 with SkolaSport and has been playing with Sirens ever since except in this year’s Wilkinson Sword Winter League in which he played with St Julians. He was the captain of the junior team under the guidance of Sirens coach Dejan Simenov. Last year, he made his debut with the first team where 2X Sirens were crowned champions.
Nineteen year old Reinhard Attard, another 2X Sirens young and upcoming player, started playing water polo with the Sirens Under 15 team at the age of eleven under the guidance of Twanny Fenech. At seventeen years, he formed part of the Sirens senior squad and was given the opportunity to play in the preliminary round under the guidance of Guzi Attard. Following the retirement of Sirens captain John Farrugia as a player due to his engagement as a coach in 2004, Reinhard was roped in the senior team to fill Farrugia’s place. At the age of eighteen, Reinhard tasted his first success last year when Sirens won the Summer League, which success was achieved under John Farrugia's lead. Reinhard’s ambition is to become a regular first team player with Sirens and help his team win more honours.
Goalkeeper Alan Grech has been with Sirens since 1994 except for the 2003/2004 season when he had joined Sirens. He has won one League with 2X Sirens in 2005 and three K.O. Competitions. He has also won two K.O. Competitions with Exiles. This year, he has also played for the National Team.
Ivan Martin joined Sirens at the age of ten in the year 2000. He started off with the Under 15 team finishing in second place. The following season, he made his first appearance with the first seven of the Under 15s. At the age of 15, Sirens promoted Ivan to the first division squad, the year in which Sirens went on to win the league. At the beginning of this season, Ivan played his debut with the first team and continued to make his presence felt throughout the duration of the winter league. Ivan is determined to make this year one to remember.
Clint Mercieca started water polo with Marsascala at the age of 6. In 1997, he went for a year with Sliema after which he returned with Marsascala. He made his debut with the first team at the age of 15 in the Winter League in 1997 in the match against San Giljan, in which he scored a goal. At 17 years, he played his first game with the National Team scoring three goals against Cyprus. He then captained Marscascala’s Under 19 team and won the Under 19 K.O. for Marsascala. At 19 years of age, he formed part of the national team and placed 3rd in the European B Championships in Sweden. After 6 years with Marsascala, he then left to Italy to play with President Bologna finishing in 3rd place in A2. Back in Malta, he joined Sirens, immediately winning the Sportswriters Cup and the K.O. Cup in the first year, then adding the League in the second.
Thirty three year old Charles Zammit started his career in an ailing Valletta side alongside two of his brothers. He was loaned to Sliema in 1996 where he won the first of his championships. He joined Marsascala the following year and again won the championship at first attempt. Fortunately for 2X Sirens, Charlie kept his record of winning the league in his first year with a new club when he joined Sirens in May 2000. A regular member of the national team, Charlie won the ASA Player of the Year in 1997. HE won five League Championships, two K.O Cup, one Super Cup, one Winter League, one Div II Championship and one Div II K.O.
2005 Wilkinson Sword Player of the Year, 2 X Sirens Captain Jonathan Valletta has been recognized for many years as Malta’s top water polo player. He has won this honour for three times and was also runner up in the National Sportsman of the Year. He has won two League Championships, five K.O. Cups, one Winter League and one Super Cup. He is 34 years old.
28-year-old David Cutajar had joined Sirens in 1997, winning the Winter League straight away. In his career, he has scored some very important and spectacular goals. He was also a member of the national squad. He has won two League Championships, four K.O. Cups, one Winter League and one Super Cup.
Joseph Caruana Dingli, who is 42 years old, has been Malta’s top goalkeeper for some very long time. He has won championships wherever he has played and his honours include seven League Championships, ten KO Cups, two Winter Leagues and two Super Cups. Joe is an inspiration to any team he plays with. He has also been named Water Polo Player of the Year in 1987.
23-year-old Jurgen Borg is a strong left handed player. He has won two League Championships, three KO Cups and one Super Cup. Jurgen Borg started career with Sliema and joined Sirens at the age of 16. He has also spent two winters training with Pescara in Italy who where a first division side in Italy at the time.
Neil Cassar, who is 25 years old, is an exceptionally strong swimmer and has scored some important goals in his career. He has also played for the National Under 21 team in the past. He is an established player of the National Senior Team as well. He has won two League Championships, four KO Cups, one Super Cup and one Winter League.
Paul Privitera is a 33 year old versatile player. He is equally at home both in defence and in attack. Paul has also been a regular member of the national team for the past years. He has been awarded the Water polo Player of the Year in 1999. He has won one League Championship, two KO Cups, one Super Cup, one Winter League, one Div II championship and two Div II KO.
A product of Sirens ASC, Karl Montfort started his swimming career in the Under 14 team. While winning various honours at youth level, Karl established himself in the first team squad until finally he became a full member of this team. At 26 years of age, he has won two League Championships, four K.O. Cups, one Winter League and one Super Cup.
For the Wilkinson Sword National Water Polo Championships 2006, Sirens have opted for experience with their signing of highly acclaimed 31-year-old Hungarian water polo player, Tamaz Marc. He has won the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. In 2005 he also won the Italian National Championship with Savona.