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While "disappointed" not to be playing in Newcastle Harbour, former national captain and Hunter Hurricanes men's coach Dan Marsden feels Saturday still marks "one of the biggest" water polo events for the region.
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The seven Sydney Super League fixtures scheduled for Queens Wharf on February have been moved to Lambton Pool because of concerns about water quality.
An announcement was made on Thursday afternoon and means that competition games will now run alongside a training camp for the Australian men's Olympic squad, which includes Novocastrian and three-times Games representative Richie Campbell.
"Outside of hosting an international event, which has happened on the rare occasion with an Institute challenge or Japan visit, this is one of the biggest water polo days for the region," Marsden said.
"You have the Australian men's team plus all the other top players from around the country on the east coast at the moment coming here on the same day. It's massive."
Marsden said it was "a real shame" the original plan couldn't go ahead, opening the sport to a more public audience.
"It's disappointing and a real shame because there was a lot of momentum around it," Marsden said.
"Moving to Lambton Pool is fine, but it hasn't got the same atmosphere as Newcastle Harbour."
The Hurricanes debuted in Newcastle Harbour in 2017.
Hunter take on Water Polo NSW development squads in both the men's and women's competitions on Saturday.
Both home sides are winless after the opening three rounds of the new-look season with COVID-19 seeing the Australian Water Polo League changed to a tournament in Brisbane from March 31.
"It's been a learning experience for us and just steps toward nationals," Marsden said.
FIXTURES: Women's - SNB Breakers v Drummoyne (9am), UTS Balmain v UNSW Wests (10:15am), Sydney University v ACU Cronulla (11:30am), Hurricanes v WPNSW (12:45pm); Men's - UTS Balmain v UNSW Wests (2:30pm), Sydney University v ACU Cronulla (3:45pm), Hurricanes v WPNSW (5pm).
IN THE NEWS:
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
