O’Regan’s concern for future

worrying times: Royton’s Joe O’Regan (blue cap), in action against Romania in the London Olympics, says there is “a lot of uncertainty’ in men’s water polo.

WATER POLO:

ROYTON’S Joe O’Regan is facing an uncertain future in the sport he loves only six months after competing in the London 2012 Olympics.

Funding cuts by UK Sport ahead of the next Games in Brazil will mean a reduction in the number of teams, facilities and training sessions.

While the women’s section of the sport received extra money, the men are waiting for news of how British Swimming intends to accommodate the belt-tightening.

O’Regan (21) - in the final year of a geography degree at Manchester Metropolitan University - is reluctant to think of dropping the sport but admits the future is uncertain.

He said: “That is what worries people. We don’t have a coach because he left after the Olympics. As things stand we will still travel to Georgia in April for the European Championship qualifiers, but there won’t be much training beforehand even if a successor is appointed.

“A lot depends on what happens in the next couple of months, when we get more information on the cuts.”

O’Regan started out with Royton Water Polo Club before joining City of Manchester, spending a year with Hungarian team Pecs and becoming a Team GB regular.