Neptunes trio extend contracts

Neptunes WPSC made a big step forward in their efforts to maintain a strong side in the future when they successfully negotiated a further extension to the contracts of three of their players.

This follows the recent extension of captain Niki Lanzon's contract who signed up until 2010. The three players who agreed to the new terms recently are: Karl Galea (25 years), Steve Camilleri (19) and Michele Stellini (23).

Galea's current contract was due to expire at the end of this year and now he is bound until the end of season 2011.

Camilleri's and Stellini's current contracts were due to expire at the end of next year but now both players agreed to new terms which will keep them tied to the Balluta Bay club until 2012.

This is a boost for the new champions who will have to make do without Edward Cachia this season as the player decided to take a rest for the time being due to pressure of work.

Neptunes have also announced that since newly-signed overseas player, Serbian star Vladimir Vujasinovic, will be unavailable in the first part of the 2007 championship, there will be a mini-relay team for Neptunes as Croatian Ivan Milakovic will be given the baton for the preliminary round matches before he hands it over to Vujasinovic.

Milakovic, currently playing for Catania Nuoto in the top Serie A1 of the Italian league, is a lanky 1.91-metre defender and one of the mainstays of the Sicilian team.

The 26-year-old right-hander joined the Catania side from Mladast Zagreb and is proving to be a useful signing for them as they bid to establish themselves as one of the core teams in the Italian top waterpolo league.

No doubt, this Croatian will have a stabilising effect in Neptunes' defensive ranks as they negotiate the preliminary round matches of this year's championship.