14&U AND 18&U AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN BRISBANE

After five days of competition, week one of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships came to a close in Brisbane today, with the champions crowned in both the 14&U and 18&U divisions.

To watch all the highlights of today’s medal matches - click here

For full results from today's 14&U and 18&U finals - click here

14&U GIRLS | UQ BARRAS PURPLE 9 d MERMAIDS PINK 7

The 14&U Girls gold kicked off the finals day in Brisbane, as the first of the gold medal games played at Brisbane Aquatic Centre.

Cross town rivals UQ Barracudas and Mermaids Pink went head to head, in front of a passionate home crowd.

Little separated the two teams in the first three quarters, but a last quarter surge from the UQ Barras saw them edge ahead to claim a two goal win.

“It was such a good game. We finished the first quarter one point up and we kept that lead and finished the second quarter up 6-5, and the goals just kept coming from there. We had two scored against us in the final quarter but we finished the game ahead by two,” UQ Barras Mena Bertinato said.

“The game felt really good because we got to win in front of our home crowd and all the other age groups that came and cheered for us,” she said.

Team mate Annabelle Spall added that it was a special moment to share with her team.

“It was really good to play as a team and win together. Since our first day of training we’ve always wanted to win, that was our goal coming in, so it feels great to have it in the bag and walk away with a gold medal,” Spall said.

“The week was great, being with your friends, cheering each other on, enjoying the games, spending time together outside of the pool, going to other games to support others. Yeah, it’s been a pretty good week.

“We’ve definitely developed our team work leading into this competition and I think that was a key factor that helped us win today,” she said.

14&U BOYS | SYDNEY UNI LIONS BLUE 7 d RYDE RHINOS 4

It was a battle of the Sydney clubs in the 14&U Boys gold medal match, with Sydney Uni Blue facing up against their over-the-bridge rivals Ryde Rhinos.

Ryde Rhinos claimed an early lead, scoring a quick goal in the first quarter. But the ever-steady Sydney Uni Lions clawed their way back in the second quarter, before a dominant third quarter performance saw them lead by two goals heading into the final quarter.

Two goals from Reef Potter in the last quarter helped his team to a 7-4 win, and crowned the Sydney Uni Lions Blue the 2024 Australian Youth Water Polo champions.

Sydney Uni Lions’ Hugo Miocevic said he was so proud of his team and their efforts, not only today but this whole week.

“The start of the game was a bit rusty, but after that we had a talk, gathered ourselves and played well from there,” Miocevic said.

“It means everything for us to be champions,” he said.

18&U GIRLS | MATS POLO 18 d NORTH BRISBANE POLO BEARS ICE 8

It was a red hot 18&U Girls final, with MATS Polo visiting from California, USA playing against local side North Brisbane Polo Bears.

MATS Polo stormed out to an early lead, scoring six goals in the first quarter. The visitors pushed out to a 12-3 lead at half time. In the end, MATS Polo claimed an 18-8 win.

MATS’ Rosalie Hassat said the team have loved being in Brisbane for the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

“It was really competitive and it was a great environment. We love this pool, it’s a great facility, and we’re just really excited,” Hassat said.

“My favourite part has been going to Southbank, and seeing the ferris wheel, checking out the beach there and having a lot of fun as a team,” she said.

“It’s been so much fun, we’ve been able to go to the beach…the beaches are amazing. We love walking around Brisbane, and the competition level is so high and so exciting,” added teammate Claire Minton.

18&U BOYS | SYDNEY UNI LIONS BLUE 19 d SUNSHINE COAST GOLD 7

In the final gold medal match of the day, interstate rivals Sydney Uni Lions and Sunshine Coast battled it out for the 18&U boys title.

Sydney Uni started the game strong, showing their intent right from the first hustle and scoring five goals in the first quarter.

By half time, the New South Welshman held on to a 9-4 lead, pushing it out to 14-4 at three quarter time. In the last quarter, the Lions scored another five goals to close out the game 19-7.

Sydney Uni’s Zac Izzard said the win was the ultimate reward after many months of training in preparation for this event.

“We put in months and months of preparations to get to this moment. We had a couple of hiccups along the way, but our main goal was to get to the final and we achieved that,” Izzard said.

“This means a lot to us - the privilege of being in the final, it all paid off in the end and that really means a lot.

“We had some of the younger guys and girls from Sydney Uni here [cheering us on] and that always pushes the boys on. It was really good support out there,” he said.

“We trained so much leading up to this and when we get to the final, and you get the win…it’s one of the best feelings,” added teammate Daniel Tzioumis.