Water Polo Canada – (Ottawa, February 28, 2018) – Water Polo Canada (WPC) is pleased to announce that Calgary has been selected to host the 2019 National Championship League (NCL) Finals. WPC is proud to partner with the City of Calgary in conjunction with the Calgary Sport Tourism Authority to bring five championship events to the city that will decide the National Champions of Canada in the 14 and under, 16 and under, 19 and under categories.

The year 2019 will mark the 5^th anniversary of the NCL, the highest level of water polo in Canada. Since its creation, the league has grown consistently across the country. In its augural year, the NCL had 75 participating teams across the four age categories (14U, 16U, 19U, MLWP). For the 2017-2018 season, the number of teams has grown to 108.

“The National Championship League continues to grow, and we are extremely proud of the work that has been done in the last five years. The NCL season is a truly collaborative effort with all of our partners across Canada, culminating in these Championship events. We are very excited to be working again with our partners in Calgary, who have been incredible supporters of the NCL and water polo in Canada” said Martin Goulet, Water Polo Canada Executive Director.

The 2018-2019 NCL season, beginning in November 2018, will feature over 800 games, played over seven months, all leading to the National Championships events in April and May. The first ever NCL Finals were played in Calgary in May of 2015, and it seems fitting that on the 5^th year anniversary, Calgary will be hosting once again.

Calgary has an impressive water polo legacy, created through strong relationships that have been built over the past twenty years, namely with the Alberta Water Polo Association, the Repsol Sport Centre (formerly the Talisman Center) and the local clubs. The local clubs will be looking to once again rely on their hometown support to win National Titles for Calgary. At the 2017 NCL Finals, also hosted in Calgary, the Calgary Renegades 16U Girls, and Calgary Wild 14U Boys won the first ever NCL National Championships for the city.

“We are thrilled to welcome Water Polo Canada back to Calgary for the 2019 Water Polo Canada National Championships,” says Jeff Daniels, Executive Director, Sport, Culture & Major Events with Tourism Calgary. “Spanning five weekends, this is an important hosting opportunity that brings visiting athletes, families, coaches and officials to Calgary while providing opportunities for Calgarians to cheer on participants, volunteer and learn more about a popular sport.”

In total, the 2019 events will bring more than 1200 athletes, coaches, and officials to the city for five weekends of exciting water polo action.

“The NCL is WPC’s top domestic initiative and it is a great opportunity for the development and growth of water polo in Canada. These events will bring athletes, coaches and officials from all across Canada to the city, and we will be working closely with the local organizing committee to ensure that all of the participants will remember their time in Calgary fondly!” concluded Martin Goulet.

The 2019 Western National Events are scheduled as followed:

Events	Date	Location
19U Canada Cup	January 31 – February 3, 2019	Repsol Sport Centre, Calgary, AB
19U Western Conference Championships	April 26-28, 2019	Repsol Sport Centre, Calgary, AB
16U Western Conference Championships	May 3-5, 2019	Repsol Sport Centre, Calgary, AB
14U Western National Finals	May 10-12, 2019	Repsol Sport Centre, Calgary, AB
16U and 19U National Finals	May 23-26, 2019	Repsol Sport Centre, Calgary, AB

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For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Mylène Turcotte-Fitzgerald, Water Polo Canada Communications
mfitzgerald@waterpolo.ca // 613-748-5682 x325

About Water Polo Canada

Water Polo Canada (WPC) is the National Sport Organization for Water Polo in Canada. Its purpose is to nationally lead the growth and the pursuit of excellence for the sport of water polo while respecting the following set of values: Accountability, Commitment, Equity, Innovation, Integrity, and Teamwork. Water Polo Canada acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada and of other partners such as Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Sport Institutes network and the Coaching Association of Canada.