Bar In Water Polo Club has been in discussion with Belgravia and Port Stephens Council about using the 50m Pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre for Home Games. Belgravia and Port Stephens  Council have graciously agreed and - with the endorsement of Newcastle Water Polo- our club will be able to host home games at Raymond Terrace.

Many members may not know that the last season for the Raymond Terrace Tigers Water Polo Club was the season before Bar In was founded. Scott Berry was one of the Tigers who joined our club. We have been in discussion with the former executive of the Tigers for the use their equipment.

Some of our members have asked for an explanation about how and why the commitee arrived at the decision to play games at Raymond Terrace. I apologise for not providing some communications on this matter sooner. There were several reasons for the committee seeking this opportunity:

• Mayfield Pool is smaller and shallower and can only host C grade, U14s and U12s games.
• U17s and B Grade games would always have to be scheduled to play away at other pools.
• The limited suitable pools in the Newcastle region meant that we often had games against clubs other than Lakes at Swansea - 34 mins drive from Mayfield (vs 24 mins drive to Lakeside Leisure Centre).
• Some of our members live further up the Hunter Valley and Raymond Terrace is closer.
• It will enable all of our teams to play at the same pool on the same day.

We will still play some games when scheduled by Newcastle Water Polo at Mayfield Pool but not when all our teams are at home at Raymond Terrace.

Mayfield will continue to be our training pool during the week. We hope to expand the opportunities for Raymond Terrace and Port Stephens residents to play water polo over the next couple of seasons.