We need to hear from you at the latest by Friday, May 30 at 6pm, as to whether or not you intend to register for Stay in Shape this summer. Please indicate if you will purchase a full pass, a 10-session pass or a 5-session pass. We currently don't have sufficient athletes registered to have the program break even financially, and are considering canceling it (we'll let all registered players know on Saturday if we decide to cancel, and if we do go ahead, new participants can continue to register over the summer). You can bring your form and payment to the first session (June 1). Please respond to Aloysia Pinto, the parent coordinator, at avpjml@yahoo.com or 613-523-8063. Click on this link for program information: http://www.titanswaterpolo.ca/docs/2008/StayInShape2008.pdf

Tiger Sharks Win Silver at 16U Boys Nationals, May 22-25, Vancouver

Congratulations to the Tiger Sharks who are National Silver Medalists!! Full tournament report and a photo are at the end of this newsletter.

Sharks and Dolphins Win Gold at 14U Boys and Girls Provincials, May 23-25, Ottawa

Congratulations to all four Titans teams - Sharks, Barracudas, Dolphins and Swordfish - that participated in the tournament! Full tournament reports and photos are at the end of this newsletter.

John Conway Exels Again!

Congratulations to Titans player John Conway, who participated in the Ottawa Race Weekend events in the 5km race. John finished first out of almost 500 athletes in his age category, and 15th overall, out of more than 2500 entries!

John's many talents and recent events were also featured in the Ottawa Citizen. Click here for the complete story:

http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/sidelines/archive/2008/05/15/fatigued-ashbury-runner-places-third-after-hectic-water-polo-week.aspx

Carleton University Looking for Summer Aquatic Staff
Carleton University is looking for swim instructors and lifeguards for summer employment. Please click on the following link for further information:
http://www2.carleton.ca/athletics/about/employment/aquatics.php

Update Your Contact Information with the Club Registrar
Have you moved or has your contact information changed this year? If yes, please help us to update our records by sending an email to registrar@titanswaterpolo.ca before the end-of-year banquet. Thanks!

Upcoming Events

Titans Annual AGM on Saturday June 14th

The afternoon will include the AGM, a presentation from Linda Duxbury with the results of the recent competitive survey, as well as a 'report card' from our Executive and announcement of the program plans for the 2008-2009 season. We hope all families can attend! The meeting will be held in the afternoon at the Hampton Inn Conference Centre, 200 Coventry Road (at the Vanier Parkway) in Room #110. Parking is free across from the conference centre, separate from the Inn. Exact start time to be announced on the website calendar.

Tiger Sharks Win Silver at 16U Boys Nationals, May 22-25, Vancouver
Tournament Report
Submitted by Christine Taschereau

Congratulations to the Titan Warrior Tiger Sharks who were valiant in their efforts for Gold at this past week-end's 16 + U Boys National Tournament in Vancouver. They faced many battles over the action-packed week-end.

After winning our first game 13-4 against DDO2, they then faced York who tried to overcome them with a quick start in game 2 but after Anthony broke the tie at the beginning of the 2nd quarter the Tiger Sharks never let up winning 9-5. At the end of Day1 they all partaked in a humongous pasta dinner which was greatly enjoyed by all.

After touring Stanley Park and the Vancouver Aquarium the Tiger Sharks made their way to the pool and tackled DDO I in their 3rd game of the tournament. James started the scoring off against the very physical DDO team. DDO managed to tie the game at the beginning of the 3rd quarter but again James pulled the team ahead. By the end of the game the Tiger Sharks were up 9-6.

After a relished pizza supper and a good night's rest the Tiger Sharks felt ready for their real challenge of the tournament – Fraser Valley. Unfortunately the hometown team had the advantage from the get go. Scoring 4 times in the 1st quarter against Lyle's only goal. In the 2nd quarter the Tiger Sharks seemed to have figured out FV as they were able to hold them at bay but lost it in the 3rd. By the end of the game FV was up 10 – 4. Some very tired players made their way to Steveston Valley and a seafood supper.

Courageously the Tiger Sharks came back, after the Fraser Valley defeat, in the 4th game to beat DDO I very early on Sunday and qualify for the gold medal game. Coach Pierre had the players try a new defence tactic that helped shut down DDO I. Then it was back to the hotel for a well deserved brunch and rest before the big game.

The Watermania pool was jammed to the rafters with the hometown team numerous and noisy fans in attendance. Fraser Valley started the scoring quickly in the 1st quarter but Lyle was able to even out the score by the end of the quarter. Sebastien scored in the second quarter but FV was quick to even things out. Two quick goals in the 3rd for FV pulled that team ahead 4-2, but the Tiger Sharks kept attacking. Sebastien was able to score again in the last seconds of the game, but the clock ran out before the Tiger Sharks had the chance to tie the game. This was a nail biting gold medal game that could have gone either way.

To round off our Vancouver visit the team took time, before returning home, to visit Grouse Mountain and dip their feet in the Pacific Ocean at English Bay.

Thanks to the players for a wonderful season and a great tournament. Thanks to Coaches Pierre and Nick for their help and guidance. Congratulations to Lyle Brooks and Sebastien Fiset who made the All-Star Team, and thanks to the parents who supported their sons throughout the year.

Sharks win GOLD at the 14U Boys Provincial Championships
Submitted by Sarah Morgan, Team Manager

Congratulations to the Sharks on a great Championship weekend! Going into the tournament Coach Blake set out three goals: one was to get everybody significantly involved in each game, the second was to play hard every game, and third was to win! All three of these goals were achieved with everyone making the most of their water time. The Sharks won all of their games, including the final two games played on Sunday against York.

Thanks to Blake Christie for this exciting run-down of the final 2 games:

The Big Sunday – with both of ours and York's positions cemented for the gold medal game on Sunday afternoon, the morning game was a chance to feel each other out without worrying about the result.

With that said, Game 5 was still a pretty exciting game. York used their full roster and did not use their starting line-up until the last quarter when they were down 3-1. But our athletes got the information (knowingly or not) that they needed in order to put on a phenomenal show in the afternoon. The final result was 3-2 for the Sharks.

The Final – These are the types of games that I love to coach. It's exactly what our kids need to gain valuable game experience. At the beginning I wasn't sure if they were mentally prepared but the opening goal of the first possession showed me otherwise. Unfortunately we didn't score again until the last quarter. But because of our stingy defence, it still left us in the game. A goal by Ben in the 4th quarter (5 meter shot) put us into sudden death overtime. Both teams fought hard and had some great chances and finally, with 8 minutes left and an extra man, Dusan lobbed a beautiful shot into the back of the net (and I remembered I could breathe again).

Just a note – after scoring 2 goals in the first quarter, York didn't score on us for the rest of the game, 28 minutes (that's unbelievable).

It was a great season with Highs and Lows but our guys learned to play defence first. Now the next step is to find the back of the net with a little more efficiency.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who did a great job at this year's event and to the refs who I felt did a great job in making consistent calls.

Congratulations to Ben for being awarded the team offensive MVP award and to Dusan for being awarded the team defensive MVP award! Both Ben and Dusan were also named to the tournament All-Star team! And a special thanks to Blake for leading the Sharks to this well-deserved victory!

Barracudas
Submitted by Valerie Walker, Team Manager

This past weekend, the Barracudas competed for the first time as a team at the 2008 OWP 14 U Boys AAA Club Championships at the Nepean Sportsplex.

Over the course of the tournament they played stronger, more experienced teams and that was evident from the scoreboard. The first game saw the Barracudas up against their powerhouse brother team, the Sharks who won 18-0. Saturday was a busy round of games and the Barracudas lost their first match to Scarborough 18- 0. Next up was a match against York who dominated and beat the Barracudas 16-0.

The Barracudas maintained a positive attitude despite the discouraging losses and played stronger as a team with every game. During the last game on Saturday, their energy and determination was evident and the Barracudas put in a good effort with the Barracudas getting on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a goal by Victor. The final score 11-1 Lindsay.

The first game Sunday morning was against Hamilton. The Barracudas continued to play strong and improve and were rewarded by their hard work with 2 goals by Vincent and a final score of 9-2 for Hamilton.

The final game was for 5th place against Lindsay and the Barracudas played with heart. There was plenty of action with goals by Marko M., Vincent, Filip Matic and Sean. Lindsay won 11-4.

The Barracudas displayed good teamwork, effort and a positive attitude throughout their first competitive experience as a team: Congratulations boys! Special congratulations go to Vincent for being awarded the team offensive MVP award and to Alexei for being awarded the team defensive MVP award!

Dolphins Win GOLD in OWP 14U Girls Club Championships
Submitted by Greg Sidebottom

It was an exciting weekend for the Dolphins at the 2008 OWP 14U Girls Club Championships last weekend. It was hard to tell how they would do with a young team and no dedicated goalie in their first tournament as a team. This was the first time in several years that there was more than one 14U girls team at the provincial championships from outside Ottawa with previous year's tournaments being filled out with teams from Quebec and combined club teams from central Ontario. But this year, with teams from York and Hamilton we had our first 14U girls club championship in quite some time. An exhibition team, the Swordfish composed of four 16U players and four "I Love Water Polo" players rounded out the field to keep things interesting.

The first game Friday evening was against the Swordfish with Roxanne in net for the Dolphins. The Dolphins jumped out to a 4-1 lead but the Swordfish fought back 4-3 with two quick goals near the end of the first half. The Dolphins opened a four goal gap in third quarter and our youngest Dolphins held the Swordfish to only one goal in the forth quarter for a 7-4 win.

In the Saturday morning game the Dolphins, with Nancy in net, faced York. The Dolphins had good control in this game, building up a 9-0 lead by late in the third quarter. At that point, all of the younger players were in to finish the game. We were all excited when Emily G scored to make it 10-0 and played great defense with her Sea Serpents friends in the fourth quarter to earn third star in the 10-1 win.

The Saturday afternoon game was the big test against Hamilton. Hamilton established themselves as the team to beat with a 14-1 win over York and a 14-5 win over the Swordfish. With Roxanne back in net, the Dolphins scored in the first minute on a kick out but tournament scoring leader Ainslie Colterjohn of Hamilton tied it up before the first quarter was over. But that was her last goal in this game as the Dolphins took over in the second with three unanswered goals. Hamilton fought back in the third, outscoring the Dolphins 2-1. But the Dolphins scored two more goals in the fourth and kept Hamilton from scoring again until the final minute, for a 7-4 win.

Being undefeated, the Dolphins placed first in the round robin and set them up for a first round playoff game against fourth place York on Saturday evening. This was a multi-goalie game with Annie, Nancy, and Roxanne all taking turns in net. A determined York came out strong, scored a goal on the first play of the game, and held the Dolphins scoreless for the first quarter. But the Dolphins regrouped and scored six goals in a row for a 6-1 lead at the end of the third quarter. York added a goal in the fourth quarter so the game ended 6-2 in the Dolphin's favor.

This set the Dolphins up for a Sunday morning rematch with Hamilton for the gold. There was lots of pre-game excitement and anticipation during the warm up. Monique opened the scoring in the first minute, Mira added three more, and Emily M added a fifth for a 5-0 lead at half time. Roxanne was in net keeping the shut out going until the third quarter, and the Dolphins added two more for a 7-1 lead going into the fourth quarter. Hamilton didn't give up and added two more goals in the fourth quarter, but the Dolphins had built up a comfortable buffer and the game ended in a 7-3 win.

Of course, the victory triggered the traditional dunk the coach pool party with token dunking resistance by Jen. The girls were very excited to receive their gold medals and Nancy was especially eager to get the party started with the championship banner. Congratulations to team defensive MVP, tournament all star, and tournament MVP Mira; and team offensive MVP and tournament all star Monique! And thanks to Jen and Blake in guiding these girls to success at this big tournament.

We won Gold!

Gold Medal Champions Dolphins with Coach Jen

Dolphins Celebrate Their Win

Monique accepts All-Star team award

Mira accepts awards for All-Star team and Tournament MVP