After 10 days of incredible water polo action right across Brisbane, the 2026 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships came to a stunning close today.
A record 245 teams took part of over the two weeks, with the 12&U & 16&U age groups closing out the largest water polo participation event in the southern hemisphere.
16&U Boys Gold
The 16&U Boys gold medal match delivered a thrilling finish to the close out the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Brisbane.
Sydney Uni Lions took on the internationals, the South Africans team, in what was a close battle.
With only one point between the two sides at half time, the Lions went on a shooting blitz to hold a strong 12-6 lead heading into the final quarter.
While South Africa delivered their best efforts to close the gap, Sydney Uni held on to close out the game 14-12.
Sydney Uni’s Russell said: “Coming into the AYC we have been playing in the Sydney Metros, up an age group in U18’s which gave us good experience to play against South Africa. I think that helped us get the win today.
“We definitely knew we had the stamina… and were able to hold it until the end. In U18s we’ve played a lot of games where it gets really tight in the last quarter, but we are used to it and we were ready for it,” he said.
Commenting on the team’s double gold in the 16&U Boys and Girls, he said: “It’s really special. It shows that the Club puts a lot into development… and so do the parents.
16&U Girls Gold
Sydney Uni Lions 16&U Girls team took home the gold medal after taking the win over Mermaids 9-2.
The NSW outfit lead from the outset, really showing their strength across all four quarters.
Chloe from Sydney Uni said she has been with the playing group since year five, and she just really loves playing with this group.
“I really love this group of girls. We also have two girls from U14s, Juliette and Nicola and they are such an amazing part of our team.”
“We are really happy to have made it this far. After the NSW Championships, where we finished third and lost the semi final by one point, I feel like today’s win is just huge redemption.
“I knew if we just came together and stuck to our game plan, which we did throughout the tournament, I thought we could come out with a good win.
“Congratulations to Mermaids who played so well… they are so talented.”
12&U Boys Gold
Melville 12&U boys took home the gold medal in the gold division ahead of Sydney Uni and Cronulla.
Representing not just his Club but proudly the State too, Ashton from the 12&U Melville side said he was pleased the team could move up the ladder in 2026.
“It feels pretty good. Last year we got the bronze [medal] and to take it out with the gold this year feels pretty good.
“I knew coming in we had a really good team, lots of good centre forwards and centre backs and we had a pretty good chance of taking it out,” he said.
For all the results from the final day of week one of the 2026 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, click here.
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