Durham City ASC water polo player, 16-year-old Anna Richardson, has gained selection to the 15-strong Great Britain under-17 squad after being a member of the GB training squad for the past year.

Anna is joined by two other girls from Northumberland and Durham Counties, Sam Crawford of City of Sunderland ASC and Sarah Scott (Sedgefield District).

"This is a fine achievement by Anna who took up playing water polo just over three years ago," said City water polo official Jeff Rawlings, "we are confident that this will encourage all our young players and swimmers to aim for the highest honours."

Sedgefield

The combined team made up of Sedgefield and Lancaster players advanced to the semi-finals of the National Water Polo U17 championships with a comfortable 13-7 win at Rotherham - though they did have to work hard for their victory.

This means they take on the favourites for the championships Cheltenham at Walsall.

Scott Carpenter was leading scorer against Rotherham with six goals and Chris Gilbertson and Chris McEneany scored one each.

Despite it being early days the decision to bring the best players together from Lancaster Sedgefield, Preston and Carlisle to form a super club to compete at the highest level against other similar set ups around the country looks to be a good idea.