A North-East waterpolo team have created history by becoming the first team from the region to win the under-17 national championship.

Sedgefield 75 took the honour at the finals of the ASA National under-17 boys championships at the Manchester Aquatic Centre when they proudly took the ASA National Perpetual Shield.

Sedgefield brought home the huge shield (pictured), which has been in existence since 1897, after qualifying for the semi-finals by defeating Cheltenham, Manchester, Grantham and Kent Invicta.

In the semi-final they faced City of Birmingham who they beat 18-5 with Scott Carpenter scoring ten goals and this victory saw them paired with Sutton and Cheam in the final.

Sutton and Cheam are London's premier junior side but Sedgefield, who are based at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, overcame the southerners 9-4 with Carpenter scoring another six goals.

Coach, George Carpenter said: "This was an outstanding team effort and even more remarkable is that we have only been going six years and have managed to triumph over the big city clubs who have been around for many years.

"In those six years we have produced ten internationals and have become the leading junior club in Britain."

Carpenter says none of this could have happened without the support of the Sedgefield 75 Swimming Club and Sedgefield Borough Council.

The Sedgefield team was Jordan Rogers Smith, Luke Thompson Chris Gilbertson, Joseph Reed, Philip Moore, Ben Richardson, Jonathon Eldred, Michael Scott, Simon Callan, Captain Scott Carpenter, Joel Woods, Joe Lawlor, Gareth Butcher, James Wannop and Mark Gabrielle with coaches being Chris Gilbertson, Lee Cooke and Carpenter.

* Anyone interested in playing the sport who is a competent swimmer should ring 01388 810185 for more details.