merrion street

Minister Varadkar today annouced that the National Aquatic Centre has secured a high-profile booking this June when the British and Hungarian Waterpolo teams arrive in Dublin for training and international fixtures.

The Hungarian and British Waterpolo Men’s senior squads will use the National Aquatic Centre for a training camp and two international matches between June 5th and 8th - in co-operation with the Irish Waterpolo Association and Swim Ireland.  Minister Varadkar said,

It’s a great boost for Waterpolo in Ireland to attract athletes of this calibre. The 22-man Hungarian senior squad has more than 40 Olympic Gold Medals. I would like to congratulate the National Aquatic Centre, the Irish Waterpolo Association and Swim Ireland for attracting these world-class athletes.

The National Aquatic Centre is an integral part of the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, which also hosts the new FAI headquarters and the Institute of Sport.

"I can confirm that I have asked the Sports Campus Authority to continue developing the site on an incremental basis, at a low cost. There will be no Bertie Bowl. But we already have an important National Sports Campus.

"Talks are also underway to hold a four team tournament next year for a new ‘Dublin Cup’ of Waterpolo, with Hungary and Serbia already expressing interest," Minister Varadkar said.

The National Aquatic Centre is already booked to host the USA Synchronised Swim Team for up to six weeks in advance of the London Olympics. It will also host the British Paralympic Swim squad for a training camp later this year.