Courtney joy in Russia (From Warrington Guardian)

Courtney joy in Russia

8:00am Friday 28th September 2012 in Sport

GREAT Britain under 19s have qualified for the world championships in 2013 with help from Warrington’s Courtney Dean.

The Warrington Water Polo Club and City of Manchester star has just returned from Chelyabinsk, Russia, where she represented her country in the Women’s Under 19s European Water Polo Championships.

She was involved as GB beat Turkey, Ukraine and Germany in the preliminary rounds before being beaten by the eventual winners Russia and Italy.

They progressed to the play offs for 7th and 8th place where they beat France 8-7 after a penalty shoot out.

During the stay in Chelyabinsk 17-year-old Dean and the team had a fantastic experience.

Locals wanted photographs and autographs from the team members and they were escorted by armed guards during their stay.

They attended an ice hockey game, had a tour of the city and a group of players’ parents were filmed about their visit for a television station.

Dean was the winner of the Young Warrington Sports Personality of the Year award in 2010 and a national league winner with City of Manchester Water Polo Club. She first started playing with Warrington eight years ago.