2022 AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 2 WRAP

As the Easter Holidays got underway, the country’s junior water polo players continued their 2022 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships across Brisbane for day two of the competition.

Once again players were relishing the opportunity to play at a national championships, for many players this being their first time playing interstate teams.

To watch replays of day two live streamed matches - visit News Corp Australia click here

For local Brisbane player, Nicholas Selby from the 14&U Boys Mantas team, this is his first opportunity to play at a national championship, and he’s taking it all in.

“This is my first nationals [AYWPC], it’s amazing, really great. All the people are really nice to you and the competition is really good.

“I’ve been playing water polo for three years and I really like the challenge in it, all the skills you have to learn and just the sport itself.

“We just had a really good game. It was challenging at the start and then we got on a roll and we started scoring goals, got into the groove and we did well. We were trying to play really good defense and extra man, because we failed a bit on extra man in previous games, so that was the focus for this game, to get that right,” he said.

Tasmania’s Caitlin Terry, from the 14&U Girls, said her team was excited for the chance to finally travel and play away together as a team.

“It’s really exciting and a great experience and I think our team is going to get a lot out of it [AYWPC] overall.

“Not many of us have played away before and to get the experience is great.

“We have individual and team goals, just working together as a team and achieving things we haven’t done before. Because we haven’t played away before [as a team],” she said.

One of the hardest hit States during the COVID-19 pandemic was Victoria, with Isaac Macpherson from Geelong/Northcote 16&U Boys team, thrilled to be back in Queensland enjoying playing with his mates.

“It’s been great. Coming from Geelong it’s been a while since I’ve come up to Queensland, so it’s just great to be able to come up here and play polo and have a great holiday too.

“This is actually my first time in Brisbane, I love it here…it’s such great weather and such a good city to play polo in.

“I feel like we’ve been the best team in spirit… we’ve been going out and fighting every game, getting goals and that is the main goal, to fight for every win.

“Playing polo with mates it’s the best thing you can ask for and that’s what I’m most looking forward to during the Youth Champs,” he said.

Having all States represented, including Western Australia, who haven’t been able to compete at many of the tournaments due to border closures, has added to the excitement around the pools.

For Patrick Dart from Melville’s 18&U Boys side, being here was really important for his team as it’s their last year to play together.

“It’s good to finally get out of WA, I haven’t been on a plane in two years, it’s great to be here.

“We [the team] are feeling pretty good, we’ve had heaps of training within WA so we have a bit of confidence in ourselves. This is our last nationals so it’s a very important one for us.

“It’s amazing for us to have Tom [Hoad]... he’s been coaching us for four or five years now and you couldn’t ask for a better coach,” he said.

All Hallow’s 18&U Girls team member, Phoebe Fredricks, is enjoying welcoming interstate sides to her hometown and getting some new competition to play against.

“There are really good, tough teams here so it’s been good competition. This is very different to our normal [Queensland] competition so it’s good to get in different games.

“We [All Hallows] are going okay, we have lost two games but we are looking to do our best in the next couple of days and hopefully get a good crossover,” he said.

For 16&U Girls player India Stephenson, she is playing at her first Australia Youth Water Polo Championships in a Barbarians team, the SNB Breakers player enjoying the chance to meet new people.

“It is so nice to be here, I’ve never actually been to one [AYWPC] as I went overseas for the first one and then the rest have been canceled…I’m really excited.

“I like that we get to play two games a day because I just love playing.

“I have played since I was under 12s. My brother played for his school and he was captain of the team and really encouraged me to get involved.

“I’ve never been to Brisbane so now I get to explore it. Because we are a Barbarians team, I’ve been able to meet new people from other clubs which is so fun,” she said.

For full results - click here

WATCH day three live stream via News Corp Australia - click here