The Australian Women’s U18 Water Polo team have defeated home favourites Spain to become world champions for the very first time at the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Championships in Puerto de la Cruz, Spain.
The next generation of Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers players competed with no fear and took the game to Spain, scoring three quick goals in the opening quarter led by superstars Bless Daly and Ali McCarthy. The 3-0 opening quarter proved to be the difference for the match as Australian mounted the pressure on the defending champions.
Spain showed they were a threat in the second quarter but Australia continued to show they are a force, blowing the game open to 7-4 heading into the final quarter. Australia kept their composure to seal a 9-5 victory and clinch Australia’s first ever medal at the U18 Women’s Water Polo World Championships.
Goalkeeper Caroline Healy delivered a Player of the Match performance as she denied Spain from getting close to Australia on the scorecard with nine crucial saves in the game.
Fresh off winning the bronze medal at the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals in Sydney with the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers, young gun Bless Daly was the Tournament MVP with 42 goals in seven matches, averaging six goals a game.
Water Polo Australia’s High Performance Director Andrew Pratley, said the team showcased incredible qualities throughout the tournament.
“It was exciting to see how these athletes turned up in big moments and delivered big results in what was a true team effort.
“The team cohesion they have worked on for many months in preparation for this event carried throughout the tournament, and in those big match moments during the knockout rounds… the whole team came up big and showed real strength and resilience.
“There were certainly some stand out individual performances that need celebrating with Bless Daly named Tournament MVP scoring an incredible 42 goals in 7 games, and goalkeeper Caroline Healy named MVP of the gold medal match,’ he said. “But these came off the back of an exceptional all-round team performance with every athlete, coach and support staff playing such an important role”.
Just six years out from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, Pratley said this result showcases things moving in the right direction.
“This is a very exciting result building towards a home Olympic Games in six years’ time. We’ve made some deliberate shifts in recent years to better align and integrate our performance pathways with our National Senior programs.
“The depth of talent in this playing group is very strong and I’m sure there is a group here of future Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers. Thanks to the work and support of many, including the parents who invest much time and money into the careers of these athletes … we get to enjoy moments like these. Congratulations to all involved” he said.
For all results from the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Championships, click here.
