20&U National Age Group Program coaches announced

With less than a year to go until the men’s and women’s 2025 U20 Water Polo World Championships, Head Coaches for both National Age Group Programs (NAGP) have been announced.

Former Assistant Coach of the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers and current Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Head Coach, Dusan Damjanovic, has been appointed to lead the 20&U Women, while Dragan Bakic has been named as 20&U Men’s Head Coach.

Damjanovic said it is always an honour to represent Australia on pool deck.

“It means a lot to me to be named the national coach of the 20&U Australian women’s side,” said Damjanovic.

“For me this means opportunity and obligation. I really enjoy working with young people and transmitting my experience and knowledge, but also value very highly the chance to learn from them as well.

“No matter what, I hope the team and I are able to leave the World Championships in a better way than when we began our journey together, I’m looking forward to the team growing together,” he said.

Having travelled to Bosnia earlier this year with the 20&U Men, Dragan Bakić will continue his work with the group as they approach and compete at their respective World Championships.

Bakić echoes Damjanovic’s sentiments, saying he feels an immense sense of pride about the appointment and the opportunity it brings.

“I’ve lived in a lot of countries over the course of my life but I became Australian a couple of years ago and can honestly say Australia is the best country in the world,” said Bakić.

“Representing Australia as the Head Coach at a World Championships is a great responsibility, and I’m incredibly thankful to those I’ve worked with who have allowed me this opportunity. I’m very happy to be able to coach the group.

“The competition is going to be excellent and very strong, but I think the boys will be inspired by the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks recent performance at the Paris Olympics and will be inspired to continue looking forward,” he said.

The 2025 U20 Men’s World Championships are set to take place in Croatia from 11-18 June, while the U20 Women’s World Championships will follow soon after in Thailand from August 10-17.

Various team camps will be held over the coming months, with the final teams to be announced in early 2025.