Water Polo Canada – Calgary, January 27, 2017 – Water Polo Canada (WPC) is proud to announce its roster for the upcoming Men’s UANA Cup. The 2017 World Championship qualification tournament is to be held in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago from February 7 to 11.

 

Following the 2016 competitive season, the Canadian senior men’s water polo team has experienced a renewal after several veterans confirmed their retirement from the program. Several experienced players remain however, including goaltender Dusan Aleksic and field players Nicolas Constantin-Bicari, David Lapins, Dusan Radojcic, Scott Robinson and George Torakis, who will help guide the team and its younger recruits in their quest for international recognition.

 

“We have been working really hard and we are excited to now play a big tournament. This is our first step towards Tokyo 2020,” commented athlete David Lapins, who is also a member of WPC’s Athletes’ Council.

 

“This one is important for us: this is the first tournament for this team. We need to go to FINA World Championships in Budapest. These teams will not be easy but we are ready. We are a young team, but I am confident we can qualify,” said Head Coach Pino Porzio.

 

The Canadian men will play their first game of the UANA Cup, against TTO, at 7:30 p.m. (local) on Tuesday, February 7. Matches will be played daily, with the semi-finals scheduled for Friday, February 10 and the gold medal game on February 11 at 12:30 p.m. The two top teams will earn a spot for the Budapest 2017 World Aquatic Championships.

 

Selected Athlete	Hometown	Current Club
Dusan Aleksic	Gatineau, QC	Club Water-Polo de Gatineau/Waterpolo Navarra
Jeremie Blanchard	Longueuil, QC	Club Water-Polo St-Lambert
Nicolas Constantin-Bicari	Repentigny, QC	CAMO/CN Marseille
Reuel D’Souza	Port Coquitlam, BC	Pacific Storm Water Polo
Ronen Grosz	Scarborough, ON	Shadow Water Polo Club
Matthew Halajian	Mission Ridge, BC	Fraser Valley Water Polo
David Lapins	Gatineau, QC	Ottawa Titans Water Polo
Gaelan Patterson	Vancouver, BC	Pacific Storm Water Polo
Milan Radenovic	Toronto, ON	Mavericks Water Polo
Dusan Radojcic	Toronto, ON	Mavericks Water Polo
Scott Robinson	Calgary, AB	Calgary Torpedoes/ Circolo Canottieri Napoli
Aria Soleimani	Calgary, AB	Pacific Storm Water Polo
Devon Thumwood	Calgary, AB	Calgary Torpedoes/Pacific Tigers
George Torakis	Montreal, QC	Panathinaikos AC Water Polo

 

Staff, Men’s Senior National Team

Head Coach:                                         Pino Porzio, Napoli, Italy          

Lead Coach:                                         Brian Parillo, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC

Assistant Coach / Manager:                  Robin Randall, Drinkwater, SK

 

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Information or interview requests: WPC Communications, communications@waterpolo.ca