Men and women can mix it with Europe's best, says water polo chief

BRITISH Water Polo chief Joanna Wray insists both the men's and women's national teams have what it takes to mix it with Europe's top dogs despite their shoestring budget.

ON THE UP: British water polo chief Joanna Wray hopeful of mixing it with Europe's elite (Getty Images)

In April both teams will compete in the qualification event for the European ‘A' Championships, due to take place in August.

Water polo saw their UK Sport funding cut by half last year - from the £3.15 million that funded the Beijing Olympic cycle to a mere £1.4m towards London 2012.

That forced British Swimming to make some difficult choices. As a result they prioritised their more successful women's programme, which is based at the high performance centre in Manchester.

However, the centralised men's squad has been disbanded and leading players will now be farmed out to clubs across Europe in order to gain experience.

The decision to prioritise the women bore fruit when Great Britain lifted the LEN European ‘B' Nations Trophy in July but Wray is convinced both teams are worthy of a place at Europe's top table next year.

"In terms of our performance, we are enjoying an excellent period within our sport," Wray said. "We have hit all of our targets and the athletes and coaches want to prove their progression as they continue to try to gain a place on the 2012 Olympic squad.

"We are progressing at a good rate although the sport was hit with the drop in our funding. Everyone remains motivated to come together with 2012 as an objective for us all.

"We are working towards a more professional sport and are setting clear objectives for everyone.

"Both of our teams will compete at the qualification event for the European ‘A' Championships which will take place in April.

"If we qualify for the ‘A' competition, which will take place in August, it will be a huge leap in our development. It will be a great way to show our continued development towards London 2012."

While the men's team departed their European ‘B' Nations Trophy empty-handed, they still achieved their best ever result by finishing fourth.

But it was the women, skippered by Ros Griffiths, who set chins wagging. The victorious captain revealed it was just the fillip her side needed in their quest to reach London 2012.

"It's so exciting to think that in less than 1000 days' time we could be in the Olympic Village making the final preparations for a home Olympics," said Griffiths.

"It's going to be amazing to compete in front of a home crowd and all of the team are looking forward to it.

"Winning the LEN European B Nations Trophy earlier this year has made us more determined to keep working hard and be there in London in 2012."