The inaugural 2021 Water Polo Queensland Junior Country Championships saw regional Queensland’s best athletes converge at St Andrew’s Aquatic Centre for a weekend of action packed water polo.
Athletes and teams from the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Dalby, Rockhampton, Townsville, Mackay and Cairns made up the 27 teams who battled it out for the gold, silver and bronze in each division.
Noosa fielded four teams with three teams coming away with gold in the 14U boys division, U18 girls division and U18 boys division. There were some tightly fought final games with both U18 teams beating Sunshine Coast rivals Kawana in their respective finals. The boys’ final featured several Queensland players in both teams with an exceptionally high standard of water polo and was a close game with Noosa coming out narrow winners 8-7.
Special mention must go to the U18 Boys B team who, in the absence of an U16 division, stepped up to play in the U18 division. The team was made up of 14 and 15 year olds who, despite staging an epic comeback, narrowly missed out on the bronze medal by one goal against an older and much bigger team from the Gold Coast.
A handful of players were acknowledged at the conclusion of the tournament with James Gardner (U14) and Lucy Wolfenden (U18) awarded as most valuable players in their divisions, and Tom Neal (U18) and Mia Freeman (U18) being awarded as most valuable goal keepers in their respective divisions.
Acting club president Glenn Connors said the results were a testament to the commitment of his coaching team and the dedication and determination of the players and that he was excited for the season ahead that will see teams competing in Brisbane in April in the QLD Club Championships and Australian Youth Championships. For more information about Noosa Water Polo, email waterpolonoosa@gmail.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
