A youth canoe polo tournament made a splash in Cumbria at the weekend.
Teams from across the North of England competed in the tournament, organised by Penrith Canoe Club and held at Kendal Leisure Centre.
Thirty-three junior athletes took part, forming six mixed teams representing four clubs: Penrith Canoe Club, Pennine Canoe Club, Liverpool Canoe Club, and Red Rose Canoe Club.
Additional support and encouragement were also provided by Lakeland Canoe Club, who allowed the use of their goals for the event.
Over the course of the afternoon, matches were fast-paced and competitive, showcasing the growing strength and enthusiasm for youth canoe polo across the region.
The event was supported by funding from the NWC Regional League, to reduce participation costs for families while giving dozens of young players valuable competitive experience.
The tournament was run almost entirely by young people. Junior referees, scorekeepers, and team captains took responsibility for officiating and managing games throughout the event.
For many of the young paddlers, this was their first tournament, including several who have only been learning the sport for a few months.
Teams competed under their bib colours in Division 4, with Light Blue topping the final standings, followed by Red, Yellow, Dark Blue, Dark Green, and Black and Teal. No cards were issued throughout the event, reflecting excellent sportsmanship from all teams involved.
The event concluded with prizes and recognition for all participants.
