AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS COMES TO A STUNNING CLOSE IN BRISBANE

After more than 600 games, the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) winners were decided, bringing to a close the five day festival of water polo in Brisbane, Queensland.

The AYWPC, the largest water polo competition in the southern hemisphere, returned in sensational fashion after COVID prevented the tournament from going ahead last year.

To watch all the replays from today’s matches - CLICK HERE

Water Polo Australia CEO, Richard McInnes, said it was thrilling to see so many young water polo athletes back playing at a national level.

“It is great to have national events back for water polo and fantastic to have all our States represented here at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

“For many of these young people, the AYWPC caps off their Club season, providing great team building opportunities as well as the chance to compete against other teams from around the country.

“While it was great to award so many medals and trophies today, the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is more than just who won the medals, and is about giving young people the chance to compete at a national level and enjoy playing water polo.

“Congratulations to all Clubs, players and coaches, as well as to our referees and officials who gave up so much time to ensure our competition could go ahead.

“Thanks to our strategic event partners in Tourism & Events Queensland and Brisbane Economic Development Agency who are long term partners of this event. We also must thank our broadcast partner News Corp Australia who streamed more than 50 matches across the five days, providing unparalleled coverage of our sport,” he said.

For full results from all the finals - CLICK HERE

Check out the highlights from some of the medal matches today…

14&U BOYS

GOLD - SNB Breakers 9 d Hunter Hurricanes 2

BRONZE - UQ Barracudas 6 d Sydney Uni Lions 5

WIth both sides hailing from New South Wales and playing each other regularly in the state based competition, SNB Breakers and Hunter Hurricanes 14&U Boys knew they were in for a tough gold medal match.

Making their way through the rounds, quarters and semi finals undefeated, SNB Breakers were determined to carry that momentum all the way to a gold medal and they did that, claiming a convincing 9-2 win.

Hunter Hurricanes’ Lachlan Davies said it was the ultimate reward for a team which has spent the best part of four years together.

“That was so good, we put 10 weeks of work into that and it finally paid off. We lost to Hunter at State Titles so we wanted this one,” Davies said.

“We’ve been together as a team for four years, and we won it in 2020 too. We’re all so close, and so grateful to have our coaches. We couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.

In the 14&U Boys bronze medal match, UQ Barracudas defeated Sydney Uni Lions 6-5 to finish third.
 

14&U GIRLS

GOLD - All Hallows 7 d Mermaids Pink 1

BRONZE - Polo Bears 13 d SNB Breakers 3

Brisbane cross town rivals, All Hallows (AHS) and Mermaids Pink, faced off in the 14&U Girls gold medal match, with All Hallows taking home the gold medal.

From the outset the youngsters from AHS dominated in their attack and defence, leading throughout to bring home a convincing win.

Claudia Booth was part of the All Hallows team that took out the 12&U title at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships and was thrilled to be able to do it again with her friends.

"It's absolutely amazing I can't stop shaking... we always wanted to go for gold, that was just so much fun,” said Booth.

"This is my second AYC, we won under 12s, and it's good to win again against the best competition.

"The nerves were massive heading into today but it was so much fun playing with the girls I know,” she said.

Polo Bears won the 14&U Girls bronze medal, after winning 13-3 against SNB Breakers.
 

16&U BOYS

GOLD - Sydney Uni Lions 11 d UWA 7

BRONZE - Melbourne Collegians 12 d Sunshine Coast 8

Sydney Uni Lions roared as one to take out the 16&U Boys gold medal, with a thrilling 11-7 victory.

The teams were evenly matched, going goal for goal for much of the game. But Sydney Uni Lions stormed home to claim a 4-goal win.

Sydney Uni’s Felix Pal said having won a bronze medal at the last Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, it is great to be taking home gold in 2022.

“It’s incredible, it’s so great to have come this far. From not having AYC last year, to winning it this year is great,” Pal said.

“After some really tough games in the rounds, and semi finals, it’s crazy to think we’ve made it this far.

“We came third last time we were here, so it’s great to get gold this time. We’ve got some younger boys, and some older boys, but everyone gets along so well. We’ve gelled really well and are stoked with the result,” he said.

In an exciting bronze medal match, Melbourne Collegians claimed the win against Sunshine Coast 12-8.

16&U GIRLS

GOLD - Mermaids Pink 7 d Sydney Uni Lionesses 3

BRONZE - UTS Balmain Tigers 6 d ACU Cronulla Sharks 2

In the 16&U Girls gold medal match, Mermaids Pink played to their strengths to claim a dominant win, 7-3.

Three early goals for the Mermaids got them off to a flying start, courtesy of Sienna Owen, Maya Nelson and Claire McCulloch. Mermaids managed to hold on to the momentum, and their lead, reigning victorious by 4-goals.

Mermaids’ Sienna Owen said: “This is so exciting, it is a dream come true for our team. We’ve been in the grand final every year since 12&U, but have always come second so we’re really happy to win this time.”

“We all bond really nicely together - I think that’s what makes our team so special, is we all work together so well and that’s how we got the win in the end.”

Having scored three goals of her team’s seven, Olivia Muir said she could not be happier that her dreams have finally become a reality.

“It’s pretty amazing - I was thinking last night about how cool it would be if we actually won, and we did it,” Muir said.

“We tried really hard in 12s and 14s, I remember in 12s we lost in a penalty shoot out. And now here we are winning gold in 16s, and with a good score too.

“I think it’s a reward for all of our hard work, we’ve all trained so hard throughout the year,” she said.

UTS Balmain Tigers will be taking the bronze medal home after winning 6-2 against ACU Cronulla Sharks in the 16&U Girls bronze medal match.
 

18&U BOYS

GOLD - Sydney Uni Lions 13 d UQ Barracudas 11

BRONZE - ACU Cronulla Sharks 8 def by Melville 17

The 18&U Boys gold medal match was a see-saw battle between Sydney Uni Lions and UQ Barracudas.

Sydney Uni Lions were one goal ahead with one minute remaining, before a last ditch effort from the UQ Barracudas leveled the scores with a clutch goal. The crowd was electric as the two sides headed into a penalty shoot out.

Sydney Uni Lions were the eventual winners, with a two goal upper edge, and the end score 13-11.

Sydney Uni’s Ryan Goldschmidt said: “That was a very interesting game, and we had a lot of fun in there that’s for sure.”

“We started together as 12-year olds, and the core has stayed the same so it’s really cool to have watched us grow as a team over the years and I think that chemistry really showed today.

“Full credit to Brisbane, they are a really good side - but we’re just happy we were able to get the win,” he said.

Coached by water polo legend Tom Hoad, the Melville 18&U Boys won bronze with a 17-8 win over ACU Cronulla Sharks.

18&U GIRLS

GOLD - Mermaids Pink 14 d UTS Balmain Tigers 13

BRONZE - SNB Breakers 7 def by Sydney Uni Lionesses 8

18&U Mermaids Pink completed a trifecta, having won the 14&U and 18&U divisions in 2019 and 2020, going on to win gold today in the 18&U Girls division.

In a thrilling final, Mermaids and UTS Balmain Tigers were inseparable after regular time, both sides sent into a penalty shoot out to decide the winner.

Mermaids outscored Balmain 3-2 in the penalty shoot out, earning them the win, and bagging another gold medal.

Mermaids’ Lulu Elliott said: “It feels pretty good, that’s the trifecta for us - we’ve won 14s, 16s and now 18s.”

“We’ve worked pretty hard, had the same group of girls go through so we’re a tight group and we’re really happy that we’ve done it.

“They pushed us right until the end, Balmain were a really good team. It went into penalties, so that just goes to show how strong everyone was in that pool.

“We were up, we were down, and then it was lucky 11-11 at the end. Our goalie really pulled through, she had a cracker. Both our goalies had a cracker and we came through on top.

“It’s really exciting, and really good for Mermaids. Mermaids is a club that’s come from nothing, to something, and I’m pretty proud to be part of it,” she said.

Sydney Uni Lionesses claimed a 1-goal victory over SNB Breakers to win bronze in the 18&U Girls.