Sliema gearing up for new season

The new waterpolo season gets underway on March 1 with the first round of matches from the BOV Winter League, launched earlier this month at the National Pool Complex, Tal-Qroqq.

The draws involving the eight teams to take part pitted together Sliema McDonalds and San Ġiljan Sir Alex in the opening match.

Sliema, Winter League champions in 2012, last week bolstered their squad with the signing of national team player Timmy Sullivan, formerly of Exiles who also lost goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole in this transfer window to Neptunes.

Sullivan, who was also captain at Exiles, will be filling in some of the void left by veteran duo Clint Debono and Paul Privitera who decided to retire at the end of the 2012 National Championship.

In a statement, Sliema said the experienced Sullivan ex-pressed his satisfaction at joining such a prestigious club.

“He is determined to form part of a successful team,” the statement said.

“Edward Aquilina is also back training with the Blues after a two-year spell at Neptunes.

“He is also delighted to be at us and is keen to win more honours with the club.”

Sliema said they have also been active on the coaching front.

In fact, Privitera will be replacing Peter Decesare as first-team assistant coach as from this season.

Decesare, a loyal servant to the club, also decided to call it a day and will instead be taking up a new role within the club’s technical set-up.

Sergio Afric will again be Sliema’s head coach.

Meanwhile, Sliema have also secured the services of youth coach Kristof Szilagyi.

The Hungarian, who led the Sliema U-20s to the championship title in 2012, returned last month and has now taken full control of the club’s U-17 and U-20 set-ups.