Liana Dance is into her final month playing for CN Mataró in Barcelona Spain.  The 18 year old is one of four foreign imports at the club including her Dutch flatmate (goalkeeper), the Brazilian Senior Women's Captain and an Aussie senior woman’s player.  Liana’s teammates include four Olympians.  She says she’s surrounded by a talented and supportive coaching network who have introduced her to a new level of water polo.  She trains three times a day – “the intensity and expectations is you train as you mean to play.”

“I have been living, breathing and playing polo ever since I got here. I play games regularly here in Barcelona but also I get to travel around Spain playing different teams,” says Liana.

Her team’s ranked second in Spain below the European Champions Sabadell. “Playing this level of a team regularly has been the best experience. The games are always very intense and the crowds at games are phenomenal.”

CN Mataró also plays in the European competition which features top club teams from all around Europe.  Last year the team took 5^th place – this year they haved topped this to make top four making history for only for the club but also for the Spanish Federation. Liana explains, “our big rivals Sabadell are also in the top 4 so two teams for Spain which is the first time ever.”

Liana says she’s lucky to travel all around Europe to play Euro league.  Her team’s played in Italy, Hungary and at home.  This week they head to Russia to play the semis and finals so watch this space for more results. “The build up has been very full on and we have not only been training hard but there has also been a lot of media coverage associated with the upcoming finals games.”

Liana tells us how full on her training is.  “I train 3 times a day. Two sessions at midday which are a gym specific focus then followed by a swim training session. At night we spend 2 hours on tactics.”

The team plays each weekend and Liana says she has developed a whole new set of skills playing and training at this level.  She also says living away from home has brought new challenges – “being totally responsible for my day to day life cooking, cleaning, budgeting finances has certainly made me more mature and grow as a person outside of the pool! It has made me very greatful for all that my family has done for me over the years and they still continue to support me in all that I do.”  She also tells us her Spanish is improving.

And Liana is grateful, “I really do love being given such a wonderful opportunity to play the sport I love. The club here has become a second family and Mataro feels like a home away from home.”  

“The girls who have been to the Olympics are truly dedicated to the sport and improving the entire team’s approach to all that we do. Four of our players won silver at the London Olympics. I was in awe, a little star struck and intimidated around them as I have played most of them on the world stage! Although with impressive polo history they are the most welcoming group of girls who have taken me under their wings. My coach has also attended the Olympics as a player himself so he is able to also share his experiences with me to guide me into the best centre forward I can be for this team in Mataro and when I come home to represent NZ and North Harbour.”

Liana’s back home in June and looking forward to her mum’s cooking. She’s in discussions about returning to the club next season. “It's safe to say that I have loved every single moment here in Spain and am making wonderful life long memories and friendships.”

She also has a message for us back here.  “I wish all the Harbour teams and NZ teams competing this year all the very best and am very appreciative of the support that I have been given along my pathway to get here.”

“Would I recommend this experience to up and coming players if they to are giving the opportunity? The answer is most definitely YES.”