Passion, smiles and fun were the motto today, as the 14&U and 18&U champions were crowned at the end of the first week of the 2026 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.
To relive all the action from today’s finals, watch the replays via KommunityTV – click here
14&U Girls | Sydney Uni Lions 7 – SNB Breakers 4
The Sydney Uni Lions roared as one to deliver the first gold medal of the day, in a thrilling match up against their cross town rivals SNB Breakers.
It was a lead they held on to from start to finish, with three early goals in the first quarter setting up the win for the Lions. Both teams showed strong defence in the second quarter to keep each other scoreless.
The Breakers came out firing at half-time to bring the scores level at one point.
“It was very stressful at half-time when they got back into the match,” said Lions player Angie Visch.
The Lions held their nerve and pulled away in the final quarter to claim a 7-4 victory, winning the 14&U Girls AYWPC gold medal.
“It’s amazing. It feels so good,” said Lions player Ivy Lincoln-Smith after the match.
“I’m so proud of our team. We all came together and won. I love the teamwork and how you can come together and share our sport.
14&U Boys | Sydney Uni Lions – Drummoyne Devils
Drummoyne Devils 14&U Boys won the club’s first ever Australian Youth Water Polo Championships gold medal, defeating Sydney Uni Lions 11-6 in today’s final.
The Devils were on fire in the opening quarter of the match, leading 4-0 at the quarter time buzzer. For Devils players, Lucas Kadlec and Hugo Beresford-Harvey, the start was part of the game plan.
“Our goal was to start out strong and shock the opposition and just get a lead,” said Beresford-Harvey.
“We got a good lead which I think is what helped us win the game,” said Kadlec.
The Lions did their best to fight back into the game but the Devils proved too good, taking out the match 11-6.
“It feels good. The first medal in a few years – we’ve done well to deserve this,” said Beresford-Harvey.
18&U Girls | Sydney Uni Lions 2 – SNB Breakers 11
The SNB Breakers were on song, with a sensational win against Sydney Uni Lions to win 18&U Girls gold.
It was a tight affair in the first quarter, SNB Breakers holding onto a one goal lead at the quarter time break, before putting their foot down in the last three quarters to extend it out to nine by the end of the game.
Breakers players Zara Cook and Isabella Parkes said the fast start in the second quarter was exactly what they needed to find victory in the pool today.
“It’s what we wanted. We wanted some early goals to secure the win and I guess we just got off in the end,” Cook said.
For many in the Breakers team, it was their final AYC game. Parkes said it was fulfilling to get the job done.
“We’ve been building up all that trust and connection with the whole team to finally finish it off feels great.”
Cook echoed her teammate and said the win feels great after a defeat two years ago.
“It feels so good. We lost two years ago but it feels good to finally win this year. This is my last game as a Breaker so it means so much. I love them, we’ve been playing for so long,” Cook said.
18&U Boys | SWPSA (South Africa) 15 – SNB Breakers 14
It came down to a penalty shoot out to decide the 18&U Boys gold medal…
The teams were inseparable, even extending it out to a second round of penalty shots to decide the winner. In the end, it was SWPSA (South Africa) who took the win.
SWPSA player Noah Reiback said the team had a tough start with the Breakers starting strong in the opening half.
“Going into the second half, we were still down and then coach said to the boys ‘this is when it starts’. We listened and fought back nice and hard and went up 10-9, and they scored that last second goal. The penalties… it was awesome,” he said.
SWPSA goalkeeper Michael Mafunda was proud of the team’s efforts to fight back and take the AYC victory for 18&U.
“We were never up in the game. The boys did amazing to come back. This Aussie team, obviously holding that Aussie pride, not wanting a South African team to come and beat them at their own game. We did well to go through this tournament – it was an amazing tournament.
“Finishing up here at this Aquatic Centre, it’s an amazing experience. Unfortunately I won’t be able to do it again, but to all the other South African teams that hopefully do come, they definitely don’t want to miss out on this one,” he said.
Reiback said while the games against other Aussie teams were tough and challenging for the team, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience here in Brisbane.
“We started our training camp five days before the tournament and this team has just gotten used to it. We’ve adapted nicely. Some of these teams were super hard to play – I think we had three draws. It was awesome,” Reiback said.
For all the results from the final day of week one of the 2026 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, click here.
Looking to make the most of your trip to Brisbane? We’ve got you covered. Explore the river city and find all the best things to do in Brisbane here.
