This Easter, Brisbane was host to the annual Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, the nation’s largest water polo event for players under 14, 16 and 18 years.
More than 600 games were played between clubs from all over Australia, making for an exciting and memorable week of water polo. The tournament was highly anticipated after being cancelled in 2021.
Noosa Water Polo players were represented in the boys U14 and U16 divisons playing under the Sunshine Coast banner and both teams had been training hard in the lead up.
The U14 boys, coached by Maya Grzegozewski, got off to a shaky start in the second division but came home strongly to win the bronze medal, beating Sydney University Cubs convincingly 9-5.
The U16 boys were playing in the top division and, despite having a young team, played some incredible water polo to win their pool and fought their way through to the medal rounds.
They lost in a hard fought game for the bronze to Melbourne Collegians but can hold their heads high after finishing fourth in Australia and first in Queensland.
Smith C and August K were selected into the Australian Cadet Men’s Squad in January and, after their performance at the AYWPC, survived a cut of players and are still standing with hopes to compete at the FINA world championships in Greece late August. Prior to this is one last AIS camp and selection cut during July.
To find more out about Noosa Water Polo follow them on Facebook, Instagram or email waterpolonoosa@gmail.com
