Cheltenham Water Polo Team Build Bridges With Egyptian Trip

CHELTENHAM, England, October 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Players from Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club (CSWPC) embarked on the trip of a lifetime when they set out to for a three match tournament in Egypt, travelling to the Red Sea coastal city of Hurghada to play Egyptian championship winning side, Gezira.

The trip was organised by the Stroke for Egypt Academy, which exists to provide unique opportunities for people involved with aquatic sports in Egypt. The Cheltenham team, who are the current British Water Polo Champions, came home with three hard-fought victories in the bag, but everyone was hugely impressed by the skill and determination of their Egyptian hosts.

"As the UK champions, it's great to do our bit in promoting Water Polo around the world and this trip to Egypt was a wonderful experience," said James Ross, Head Water Polo Coach for CSWPC. "All of the matches were played in the Red Sea in a stunning setting and we couldn't have received a warmer welcome from the excellent organisers at Stroke for Egypt."

The final outcome of the three matches was 8-7, 11-7 and 9-6,  and the tournament was so successful that a larger international tournament featuring squads from the UK, Ireland, Hungary, Malta and Montenegro, as well as Egypt, is now being organised for next year.

Khaled Shalaby, co-founder of Stroke for Egypt Academy, said: "This is exactly the sort of tournament that our organisation was set up to promote. We are delighted that Cheltenham, the current champions of Britain, chose to visit Egypt. It was a truly cross-cultural experience, united by the love of a common sport, and this event will continue to go from strength to strength in the future."

About CSWPC 

CSWPC currently run three senior men's teams, a women's team and junior squads at all age levels. New members are always welcome, regardless of experience. Visit http://www.cswpc.co.uk to find out more.

About Stroke for Egypt 

Stroke for Egypt is an organization committed to making aquatic sport available and accessible to all, and to promoting sports tourism in our beloved Egypt. Founded by Captain Khaled Shalaby - who was the first para-swimmer in the world to cross the English Channel with one arm in 1983 - Stroke for Egypt holds two events each year in the beautiful city of Hurghada, Egypt, featuring international stars of water polo, open water swimming and para-swimming. For further information visit http://www.strokeforegyptacademy.com. For advice on how to take part in the event, or further information about visiting Hurghada, Egypt, please email: sherwittehafez@strokeforegypt.com