Southgate and Women's A have been crowned Tamworth and District Water Polo men's and women's premiers after the association made the "tough" decision to cancel the remainder of the season as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
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In a statement to members president Ross White said after considering the statement released by Water Polo NSW, the T&DWPI executive committee decided that the best course of action was to terminate the 2019/2020 season, effective immediately.
"This event is unprecedented and the decision has not been an easy one to make," White said.
"We understand that this is an extremely disappointing and abrupt end to the season, however, the health and well being of all our members and the wider community is of utmost priority."
Fortunately they had completed the round games for the various competitions, the committee agreeing that the premiers for each grade would be awarded to the minor premiers. In the case of the women's competition that was Women's A, and the men Southgate.
The suspension of activities will also affect the preparations of Tamworth's various representative sides, although the upcoming State Club Championships have also been postponed.
It was a disappointing way to end to what White said has been a really good season.
"I'm really stoked with the season," he told The Leader.
Especially considering at one stage it looked like there mightn't even be one.
"We didn't think we were going to have a pool to play in," he said.
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It wasn't until probably mid-September that they were given the green light. To go from that uncertainty to having a full competition, White couldn't have asked for much more, and praised the way everyone pulled together.
One of the most pleasing aspects was that they were able to get an open women's competition running again.
"It's the first time in a long time we've had women's so that was really good," he said.
He was also pleased to see his Southgate side get up for their first title in about five years. They have been "perpetual bridesmaids", as he put it, in recent years.
He now has his fingers crossed that the recent rainfall continues and they can look to a bigger and better 2020/2021 season.
"There's a good base to work on," he said.