Orange to host State Water Polo titles

In a first for Orange, final preparations are under way for the Aquatic Centre to host the Under 16 Girls State Water Polo titles. 300 players and officials will converge on Orange this week for the four day championship.

Staff at the Orange Aquatic Centre have been busy refurbishing goals, nets and other equipment for the event, as well additional shade areas.

Orange City Council Sports & Recreation Committee chair, Cr Jason Hamling believes the event will be a great opportunity for locals to watch top level competition.

"More than twenty regional and club teams from across the state will compete in the under 16s event, including a team from Kinross Wolaroi School," Cr Jason Hamling said. "I hope staging this event in Orange will give a major boost to the sport here."

"It's a fantastic time of the year to visit Orange, and I'm sure the players, their families and support staff will take some time to soak up some local culture."

The competition games will be held in the 50m outdoor pool with the diving pool used for warm ups.

"While there'll be some inconvenience for locals with the 50 metre unavailable for swimming during the event, both indoor pools will be open as usual."

The State Championships will run from Thursday, 28 January to Sunday 31 January 2016.