The piece of information that two 13-year-old water polo players moved from one club to another isn’t something that attracts attention by itself.
However, the transfer of twin brothers Strahinja and Stefan Vranes (born on February 24, 2009) from Buducnost Podgorica to Jadran Herceg Novi is particularly noteworthy. The brothers are very talented players. They played for the U13 Montenegrin national team. Recently, they were called up to the preparations of the U15 national team.
What happened, what is the problem, and why is this transfer something special?
Strahinja’s and Stefan’s parents had to pay 14.000 euros to Buducnost in compensation before the brothers could leave the club!
Photo: Facebook/Miroslav Vranes
However, everything was done according to the regulations. It’s weird, but it’s true.
Their father, Miroslav explained what happened in a short interview with the website of the Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG).
Buducnost asked for the highest compensation permitted by the Rulebook of Registration and Transfers of Water Polo Players of the Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro.
On December 8, the Vranes family informed Buducnost that Strahinja and Stefan intended to leave the club and asked for the proper documentation. The answer came three weeks after.
“We were taken aback by Buducnost’s decision to ask for such an amount for 13-year-old children. They informed us about this on December 28. The children will turn 14 this year, and therefore if we hadn’t paid the desired amount within two days, we would have been required to pay 20,000 starting on January 1. Such a move was unfair because we were paying the membership fee, equipment, trainers, T-shirts, and registration fees for tournaments”, Miroslav Vranjes said.
Buducnost doesn’t have a senior team and works only with junior and youth water polo players
“It was obvious that Stefan and Strahinja showed more potential than other peers. Since Buducnost was not going to form a senior team and work more seriously with older selections, after consulting with friends, we decided to leave. Without training with the seniors, Strahinja and Stefan would start to stagnate.
For two years now, Buducnost has announced the formation of the first team, but it is still not certain. We decided to leave now, because the compensation would be higher at the end of the season”, Miroslav Vranes said.
Miroslav Vranes emphasizes he wished that his children continue their careers in Jadran Herceg Novi.
That’s why he contacted the Herceg Novi-based club, where he found, as he says, the answer that all children are welcome to train, especially if they are talented like Stefan and Strahinja. Jadran provided them with free accommodation and meals.
