WITH an average age of 73, the Perth Cockatoos are showing no signs of slowing down, after claiming a second consecutive gold at the World Masters water polo championships.
The Cockatoos retained their second 70+ FINA World Championship crown at this year's masters, which were held in Gwangju, South Korea from August 5-18.
The team wasn't the only Perth-based team to taste success at the event, with the Pink Pointers taking out the 55+ women's title.
Both teams had to overcome some much younger opponents, with numbers well down from the 2017 event in Budapest.
The men finished their campaign with an 8-4 win over the American Blue Thunder team from the USA to secure their second title.
Captain Bill Wallace said it had not been an easy campaign.
"Our ages ranged from 70 to 80 and we played a match each day in sweltering conditions and hot water," he said.
"We have been training hard for this for the past year, which included three team sessions and at least two swim sessions by ourselves each week."
It was the fourth successive medal for the group - having won two bronze medals in the 65 + division prior to their back to back 70 + titles.
The Pink Pointers faced a huge uphill battle, having to face some teams as young as 30-plus due to the lack of opposition.
The team claimed silver medals in Budapest after scheduling problems prevented them from playing in the final despite having gone through the tournament undefeated.
The group features former state and international representatives..
Captain Fiona Pixley was full of praise for her team's effort.
"Our training was well structured and this helped us get through the harder matches, landing the goals when needed and ensuring our position as the pre-eminent senior team in the entire competition," she said.
The Perth Masters water polo competition will take place in mid-October. New players are invited to attend club nights at UWA on Tuesdays from 7pm.
For details call (08) 9387-7555 or click here.
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