Kai Dowling (centre, standing) seems to have integrated nicely in his new club Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate after helping the side win the President’s Cup in the season curtain-raiser.

Sliema’s latest addition to their waterpolo fold is Kai Dowling who aims to carry on his father’s legacy as he started off a new season donning the famous blue cap of the Għar id-Dud team.

“There is something special about keeping the Dowling tradition going,” he said.

“My family history inspired me to play waterpolo at the age of just nine years old where I had started with Exiles.”

The sport flows though his veins and Dowling has a strong waterpolo background.

“I most certainly look up to my father, Kurt, as well as my uncles Dirk and Kim, together with Peter Decesare,” he said in reference to his relatives, all great waterpolo protagonists of their era and former national team players.

Kai, 20, has tons of support which is vital as he knows that any season involves its fair share of pressure.

To make things more intensive for Dowling this season, he must adapt quickly in his new environs after joining Sliema from San Ġiljan, a club he credits for his development.

“Playing for San Ġiljan certainly helped me grow as a player and I was able to gain a lot of first-team experience while being at the club at such a young age,” he said.

Dowling feels welcomed among his new team-mates.

“It was very easy settling in at Sliema as all club officials and players made me feel at home from day one,” he remarked.

“I want to continue with my development and work with the team well enough for us to start winning league titles again.”

Sliema and San Ġiljan are due to meet for their first time this summer on June 24 with Dowling looking forward to the game as if it was any other. He knows there will be that extra bit of pressure.

“I think I have a point to prove against any team as you are only as good as your next game,” Dowling said.

“There is always pressure when playing important matches.”

He keeps a cool head and knows that most of his new team-mates at Sliema have enough experience to help any young player who is dedicated enough to grow in the sport.

Waterpolo takes a lot of dedication and determination. Like any other sport, to succeed you must be willing to give your 100 per cent in training and competition

Dedication at his age is half the battle as it is never an easy task to balance out academical challenges with the heavy demands of training, while trying to keep an active, social life.

Dowling is thankful that his friends consider his schedule when planning their summer.

However he knows he has to lead a hectic life at the moment.

“Balancing school and sport isn’t an easy task and it takes a lot of dedication, determination and diligence,” he said.

“However, if you have the ambition to excel in both then it is very possible.

“Waterpolo takes a lot of dedication and determination. Like any other sport, to succeed you must be willing to give your 100 per cent in training and competition. There are times when I don’t feel like waking up early in the morning or spend a Friday night in because of a game the next day.

“But, these sacrifices will only pay off in the long run. Waterpolo is no easy sport but with hard work and a good mentality anything is possible.”

Dowling believes that there is a lot that can be done for waterpolo to continue flourishing and targets the grassroots to help provide a deeper pool of talent.

“I think involving schools and promoting the game better on TV will help as this is a very successful sport in our country,” Dowling said.

“Involving children from a young age can help this sport grow and thus gain more exposure and success for the country, a success I plan to be part of for many years.”