South Africa opened its 2009 Fina World Championships campaign in the pool with a defeat to New Zealand in the women's water polo competition in Rome.

Christine Barretto's international water polo experience could play a crucial role when the SA women's team compete at the FINA Women's Water Polo World League in Lille, France from May 8-10.

The draw for the men's and women's water polo tournaments at the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome from July 17-August 2, sees South Africa being drawn in a tough groups.

It's the Telkom national aquatic championships in Durban next week.┬áSouth African water polo captain Duncan Woods explains the┬árequirements of the sport and how he stays at the top of his game ÔÇô┬áboth physically and mentally.