The biggest youth water polo event in the world: for U9, U11 and U13, held every year in Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD) and drawing teams from five continents.
When is the next Festival?
From 13 to 20 June the week for U9 and U11, from 20 to 27 June the week for U13.
Do boys and girls play together?
U9 and U11 tournaments include girls’, boys’ and mixed teams. The U13 event is split into a girls-only tournament and one for boys-only or mixed teams.
How do you enter the Festival?
Open the page of the event for your team (U9-U11 or U13) and follow the Registration Guide: it contains the information, duties, costs and deadlines. A club can enter more than one team in a single tournament.
Where do teams stay during the Festival?
Teams, made up of players, coaches and officials, all stay inside Bella Italia & EFA Village. Parents, family and supporters travelling with the team can enter the village by paying admission.
What is the Champion’s Passport?
It is a code of ethics: the values of sport to respect in order to be part of the HaBaWaBa community.
What is the aim of the HaBaWaBa project?
To spread the values of sport among children and create a deep bond with water polo through an unforgettable experience.
The Barceloneta star was the testimonial of the 4th edition of the event held in Tarragona. Malaga won the U10 tournament, Poble Nou triumphed in U12
The 4th edition of HaBaWaBa Spain that ended last Tuesday, April 12th, in Tarragona has once again managed to mix passion for "the game of the ball in water", fun and sharing of the most important values of sport in a huge party, which was attended by 430 little athletes. Star of Barceloneta and the Spain national team Felipe Perrone, 36, was the perfect testimonial ofHaBaWaBa Spain: the Spanish-Brazilian ace, one of the best waterpolo players in the world, has always experienced sport and competition smiling and respecting his opponents. The Barcelona International Water Polo Academy (BIWPA) - organizer of HaBaWaBa Spain - entrusted him with a workshop about fair play that was attended by a large number of kids: they were excited to meet and talk to their idol. “It was a pleasure to participate in the HaBaWaBa Spain - Perrone said -, I was delighted to see the joy of the kids and their passion for water polo. Not only the competition, but also the teams coexistence at the residence - the Campus Educatiu - is a very nice thing about this festival”.Felipe Perrone answering the questions of the HaBaWaBa kids.
“Lastly, the fair play workshop was a very special moment, as I believe these values are a very important part of our sport, and to promote them among the youngest players is key”, Perrone stated. HaBaWaBa Spain brought Perrone good luck: two days after his participation in the Tarragona event, the Spanish-Brazilian ace won the Spanish league with Barceloneta for the 12th time.
As in every HaBaWaBa event, a special fair play trophy was awarded to the team behavioring the best during the tournament: in U10 category Rubì Blanc won it, in U12 it was assigned to Tenerife Echeyde. As for the competition 35 teams from 6 different regions of Spain (Catalonia, Basque Country, Andalusia, Valencia, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands), France and Malta played at the Sylvia Fontana Olympic Pool: over 3 days, 136 games were held. In U10 competition Deportivo Malaga triumphed, reaching the 1st place over Claret Askartza and Manresa; in U12 category the gold medal went to Poble Nou Blau, first ahead of Rubì Vermell and Sabadell Blanc.
“This 4th edition of HaBaWaBa Spain has been the best without any doubt - the Sports Director of BIWPA and HaBaWaBa Spain Quim Colet stated -. I think it has been the consolidation of the festival in Tarragona and the Sylvia Fontana Olympic swimming pool, and we’re very happy about this. We want to keep growing in number of participants and reach more teams from different regions in Spain and also international teams. We're at a great moment for water polo, there are more kids than ever and we want the HaBaWaBa philosophy to keep this momentum going”.
After HaBaWaBa Spain, the next event of HaBaWaBa International Circuit is scheduled in Athens: on July, from 7th to 10th, the Glyfada Nautical Club will host HaBaWaBa Greece. Before that, however, Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy) will become the world capital of the HaBaWaBa community once again: the 14th edition of HaBaWaBa International Festival (for U10 and U12 categories) will take place on June from 19th to 26th, followed by the 6th edition of HaBaWaBa PLUS (U14) from June 26th to July 3rd.
