Water Polo: New Lambton's Nathan Power awaits green light to join Barcelona teammates for Spanish league

His father probably saw it more like a "helping hand".

Whatever the case may be, renovations at home in New Lambton have provided a welcome distraction for the Australian water polo representative.

Olympic-hopeful Power is waiting to get the official green light to relocate to Spain as soon as possible and join new club Barcelona for the upcoming season.

The global coronavirus pandemic means the 27-year-old may require a travel exemption and he's been in contact with the relevant governing bodies.

"I'm aiming to leave in the next couple of weeks after gaining visa and travel exemption," Power told the Newcastle Herald.

While he remains unsure about an exact departure date, the Sharks defender said Barcelona were due to start pre-season training this week.

Power also mentioned a regional competition taking place next month before the main Division de Honour opens in October.

Qualifiers for the LEN Champions League, featuring clubs from across Europe, are due to start around the same time but may be impacted by COVID-19 especially after the HEP Cup between Croatia, Italy and Montenegro was postponed until at least September.

Power said he was "really looking forward" to the Barcelona move, seven years after playing his maiden World Championships in the same city, despite receiving offers from elsewhere

"I had a number of other clubs reach out about coming across to play," he said.

"Barcelona is the place I want to be and I think the club is building nicely. I'm really looking forward to it."

The change in location follows four years playing in Croatia, most recently for Jadran Split after beginning with one season at Primorje Rijeka in 2016-17.

"The styles [between Croatia and Spain] will certainly be different," Power said.

"Spain, at an international level, play a team-orientated game which relies on working together very well as a unit.

"It will be a good change for myself playing a new, different style. Hopefully it has benefits for me for Australia as well because we emphasise that team play as well."

Power, who missed the Rio Olympics in 2016 because of a last-minute hand injury, said having the opportunity to play a full campaign now would assist preparations for next year's postponed Games in Tokyo.

Power's national teammate Richie Campbell is set to continue with the UNSW Wests Magpies in this summer's Australian Water Polo League before the Merewether 32-year-old embarks on a fourth Olympics.

Meanwhile, the Hunter Hurricanes have extended their junior representative base with Amali Jarrett and Lexie Burdack named in the Australian born 2005 cadet girls squad. Declan McLeod (NSW born 2005 boys), Daniel Culjac, Finlay Bawden, Kobey Pitkin, Morgan Hughes, Nash Kearney (NSW born 2006 boys) Anabelle Flook, Elise Mills, Eve Stanton and Samirah Arnold (NSW born 2006 girls) all made state sides.

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