AUSSIE JUNIOR SQUAD MEMBER TO COACH HUNTER HURRICANES AT AYWPC

After representing Australia in the women’s Under 20s side and Country teams in 2018, Belle Humby will take on a new challenge at 2019 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC).

The 19-year-old will coach the 14&U Girls Hunter Hurricanes side when they line up at the AYWPC in Brisbane from 12 January 2019, in her debut coaching role.

Having come through the Hunter Hurricanes ranks herself, Humby is excited by the opportunity to give back to her Club and the sport that has given her so much already.

“Our State campaign didn’t go as well as well as we thought, but they’re really keen for the nationals.

“Going in to it the girls are excited. They remind me of when I started playing, all excited to just get into the weather and do as many things as possible.

“I would love them to go well but more importantly I just want them to keep playing. I notice a lot of kids drop off around 16 – so keeping them in the sport is important.

“We have been training since mid-October and we have been mixing the boys and girls training together, which makes it a bit fun as well,” she said.

Coaching is a new dynamic for Humby who was eager to help usher through the younger generation of water polo players.

“This is my first year of representative coaching, I’m pretty much a rookie. I’ve done local club coaching for two years now.

“I wanted to get involved more in the sport that has given me so much. There wasn’t a 14s girls coach so I had to put my hand up and I’m excited for the nationals,” she said.

The Hunter Hurricanes will be among the some 170 teams that will line up at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships from 12-24 January in Brisbane.

To be held in the heart of the city across five venues, the AYWPC will also feature a two test match series between the senior Australian teams and Japan, providing the junior players the chance to see their Olympic heroes in action.

With some 3,000 participants expected to converge on Queensland, the inaugural staging of AYWPC will be the largest water polo festival in Australia.

Humby brings strong representative experience to her coaching duties having played in the Australian U20s team and the Australian Country Teams this year.

“Going to Europe was one of the most incredible experiences, visiting Europe and playing different styles was a great experience.

“Also going away with the Aussie Country team was another good experience. In country water polo we’re very supportive and have our little family. Playing against the Asian teams was different to Europe and was another great learning opportunity,” she said.

With just over a week to go until the start of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, excitement is building as teams put the finishing touches on their preparations.

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