Cheltenham’s in-form water polo youngsters are chasing a remarkable quadruple next month.

The under-19s and under-17s for both boys and girls have reached the national finals which will be held at GL1 on Saturday and Sunday, 20^th and 21^st April.

“It’s a great achievement,” said James Ross, who is chairman of Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club.

“It shows the strength in depth of water polo at Cheltenham.”

It certainly does and is all the more impressive because it is the second time in three years that all four teams have qualified for the final stages. Last year three teams from the club made it through to finals day.

The national finals feature the top four teams in each age group and last year Cheltenham won a gold and two silvers.

The gold was won by the under-17 girls – last year’s finals were held in Sunderland – and Ross is hoping that home advantage may increase their chances of doing even better this time around.

“Hopefully the stands will be packed,” said Ross. “Home support is always massive. It’s the indoor environment, 300 people can make a helluva noise.”

And Cheltenham’s youngsters will certainly be giving it their best shot.

“Four golds is obviously the aim, we want to win every game, but realistically the aim is to win four medals… one gold, maybe two.”

Ross coached the girls’ under-17s last year and this year he is coaching the girls’ under-19s, a squad that includes his daughters Lily and Megan.

A third daughter, Alice, will be playing in the under-17s alongside Megan, who will play for both teams.