Local water polo athlete Taylor Molde was recently in Australia, where she competed with the Canadian women's team during the FINA World Youth Water Polo championships.
Local water polo athlete Taylor Molde was recently in Australia, where she competed with the Canadian women's team during the FINA World Youth Water Polo championships.
Before competing at the World championship, Team Canada was in Southern Cross in Aukland, New Zealand, for the pre-worlds tournament.
The Canadian women won gold during the pre-worlds. They competed against the New Zealand youth and senior teams, and the United States.
The team then travelled to Perth, Australia for the FINA World Youth Water Polo championships, held from Dec. 1 to 9. Originally the women's side had 16 teams, but Spain backed out due to financial issues at home.
The Canadian women had both Brazil and New Zealand as part of their group.
The women played their first game to a dramatic 9-9 tie against Brazil.
The game started with a 1-1 tie after the first quarter. Then during the second quarter, Brazil scored three goals, while Canada only scored once.
During the third period, Canada scored four goals, and Brazil only scored twice. Then in the fourth quarter, both teams scored three times. Taylor was able to score one goal during the game.
The second game was against New Zealand where the Canadians won 14-7.
Team Canada placed first in their pool.
Team Canada started with a 3-2 lead after the first quarter. Then during the second quarter, Canada scored six goals and New Zealand only scored two.
Canada scored once during the third quarter. Then during the fourth quarter, New Zealand scored three times and Canada added four more goals.
The women's quarter final game was against Russia. The women lost 15-12 after being down 7-1 after the first quarter.
Team Russia started strong in the first quarter, by scoring three goals while Canada only picked up one goal. Scoring was tighter during the second quarter, as Russia scored four goals and Canada scored three goals.
Then during the third quarter, Russia scored four times and Canada scored three goals. Team Canada had a strong fourth quarter, scoring five goals while Russia only scored three.
Team Canada then played the home Australians. The game was very physical with ejections and injuries, but Canada won 16-7.
During the first quarter, Canada scored four goals and Australia scored twice. Australia had a strong second quarter, with three goals while Canada only scored twice.
Team Canada extended their lead by picking up four goals in the third quarter, and six goals in the fourth. Australia was only able to score once in both the third and fourth quarter.
The final game was against New Zealand, during the fifth place final, which Canada won 12-11. The top five teams were Greece, Hungary, Russia, United States and Canada.
Canada started with a strong lead in the first quarter, scoring four goals while New Zealand only scored once. Then during the second period, Canada scored four goals and New Zealand picked up three goals.
New Zealand scored two more goals in the third quarter, with Canada only scoring once. Then in the fourth quarter, New Zealand scored four goals and Canada picked up three goals. Taylor Molde was able to score one goal during this game.
Taylor is in her eighth year of water polo. She started playing with the local Weyburn Hurricanes Water Polo Club.
This is the second year that Taylor has played with the Team Canada women's team. The youth category is athletes ages born in 1994 and later.
Taylor was born in 1995.
The Hurricanes swim at the Weyburn Leisure Centre and arealways looking for new players. Interested athletes can contact Mike Grieve, head coach and club president.
