2022 AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 1 WRAP

Day one of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) got underway today in Brisbane, Queensland with more than 130 teams and 2,000 competitors taking part across the city.

After two years of delays, the AYWPC returned in spectacular fashion with many young players receiving their first opportunity to compete at a national level event.

To watch replays of some of today’s event - visit our streaming partner News Corp Australia [CLICK HERE].

The atmosphere across all venues was electric, with players, coaches and referees alike thrilled to be back playing water polo.

At Albany Creek, Sydney University Gold 16&U Girls team were able to get a win in their first match, with 15 year old Hannah Singh saying the victory was motivating for the girls.

“It’s so exciting to be back [after the cancellations]...it's been quite sad for the past two years, but I think it's added to the excitement for this 2022,” said Singh.

“I’ve been competing at the Australian Youth Championships every year. I feel like it's a really good environment where we can bring together all different people who love water polo and share our love for the sport.

“I’m looking forward to, over the next few days, just growing together as a team as well as getting better skills, more competition, and competing with different girls from across the country who we are not used to playing with,” she said.

Having made the trip from Ovens and Murray, on the NSW/Victoria border, Rhys Kilo said his side was enjoying the competitive nature of the 16&U Boys division.

"We’ve come up against a couple of tough teams, but we’ve done really well as a team,” Kilo said.

“I think we’ve played the biggest competition so far, in Balmain probably. Barras were pretty close to it as well.

“This is my third Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, and it’s been pretty good so far. Getting to play against people from Western Australia, Queensland - you don’t get to do that much where we’re from.

“It’s unreal to be back here in Brisbane, there’s nothing better than this. There’s a couple of things that we need to work on, but we’re looking forward to the next couple of days.

“Hopefully, the boys will bring the same standard for the next couple of days, but we’ll also hopefully get a couple of wins on the board,” he said.

14&U Girls team mates from the UTS Balmain Tigers, Alice Walker and Skylar Silk, were excited to be in Brisbane and for their first Australian Youth Water Polo Championships experience.

“When I found out I was coming I was over the moon, because it’s such a great opportunity to come here. Even if we don’t do that well I’ll be happy,” Walker said.

“It’s new, it’s fun and we get to play so many games. I love that I get to play with my friends, and it keeps me fit.

“If we get into the semi finals or the finals, that’s probably what I’ve been looking forward to the most. Taking home a medal would be so fun,” she said.

Silk is enjoying the opportunity to play against teams from other States for the first time.

“It’s different from our normal competition, and it’s been really fun so far. We might not have won all our games, but we love being here,” Silk said.

“It’s hard to pick my favourite part because everything has been so fun!

“All the games are so different, playing against all the different States - we’re from Sydney and we’re playing against Tasmania. It’s really good and a fun game - so all of it is my favourite,” she said.

From South Australia, Mille Bradley from the Adelaide Jets 16&U Girls team was thrilled to have the chance to once again meet new people and make some friends.

“I’m loving the atmosphere, it’s good meeting new people and making new friends,” said Bradley.

“I had COVID last week so it was good to get back in the pool. I felt fit out there and it was good that our team played really well together.

“Water Polo SA didn’t really have much of a team last time so we have really built up this team and I’m enjoying it,” she said.

At Yeronga Park Pool, Thomas Ellison from 14&U Boys Sydney Uni, said his team were ‘stoked’ to come away with the win in their opening match.

“It was a good game, a very good match up, the boys played their best and it’s always good to get a win.

“We just want to get in some good games and have some fun. It’s a good atmosphere, great pools and some good games… I can’t wait to meet new people and play new teams,” said Ellison.

Gracie Saunders from 18&U Girls Hunter Hurricanes said it was good to get the first day nerves out of the way.

“It felt great… we were a bit messy at the start, first game jitters, it’s really good to be back at the nationals,” Saunders said.

“We came through all the age groups together so it is great to be back together for our final year,” she said.

Having just finished the Australian Waterpolo League season with the Adelaide Jets, 18&U Girls player Tayla Dawkins was excited for another national competition.

“It was a good first day - there are heaps of girls we don’t know so it was good to meet everyone,” Dawkins said.

“It’s beautiful to be back in Brisbane over the Easter long weekend. I am looking forward to the sunny weather in Brisbane and it is good going up against different competition.

“I started in Under 14s and played every year and I played every game in AWL this year. I was a lot younger than a lot of girls so it was a great experience and I’m looking forward to some more game time here at the Youth Championships,” she said.

At Musgrave Swimming Centre, UNSW Wests 18&U Boys got their Australian Youth Water Polo Championships campaign off to a strong start, something that goal keeper Rhys Williams was proud of.

“It was a great win for the boys this morning, good to get the momentum going,” Williams said.

“Having Greg McFadden as our coach is great with his experience backing the boys up.

“We have Drummoyne up next tomorrow, as well as Barras. Sydney Uni are going to be tough and Melville will be strong as well,” he said.

The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will return to pools across Brisbane tomorrow.

The News Corp Australia live stream will also return, with the first game set to be played from 8am at Brisbane Aquatic Centre - to watch click here. 

#ThisIsBrisbane #ThisIsQueensland #AYWPC2022 #HaveAGo