FACES OF AYWPC I GINA FABIAN (Queensland)

When water polo people think of the Valley Pool, they usually think of Gina Fabian, and at the 2022 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships you’ll have the chance to see her poolside once more.

The Queensland volunteer has become synonymous with water polo at the iconic inner city Brisbane pool, her table official skills legendary within the sport.

Her love of the game has kept her involved for close to 30 years, her volunteering humbly starting for a need to watch more of the game from the best view in the house!

“It started because we were sitting up in the stands where everyone talks and you’re turning around talking and answering people and there was no instant replay… so I thought I’m going to go down and see if they need a hand on the table. Sure you can talk on the table, but at least you’re watching the game.

“I thought I needed to know more about the game as well… and well I’ve been on this side [as a table official] ever since,” said Fabian.

Like most within the sport, water polo has been a family affair and something that Gina has many fond memories of.

“My kids played back in the 90’s, their first game was actually at this pool, the Valley Pool. My daughter started playing for Pine Rivers and Newmarket… ended up forming the Polo Bears which is the team my kids played for. That is going back 25 years now.”

Over the decades, Fabian has had a front row seat to witness some of the biggest moments in water polo as well as watch the generations of Aussie talent come through the ranks.

But if there is one player who springs to mind, it would be fellow Queenslander Rhys Howden, former Captain of the Aussie Sharks and four-time Olympian.

“Rhys Howden used to play for Met North and my eldest daughter was the coach. He came to trials, and I remember her coming home saying ‘Mum there is this guy, Rhys Howden, he is poetry in motion! If he keeps going he’s going to make it to the Olympics.’

“I phoned her the day he made the Olympics, and I said ‘guess who made the Olympics’… she knew!”

Even though her children have long stopped playing, Fabian’s passion for water polo has not waivered, and she gets just as much joy helping to usher in a new generation.

What keeps her motivated? Well it’s a love for the game, working with the younger generations… oh and a small event that is coming to her hometown!

“My grandson, he’s 11, he comes along with me for the night time games and I’ve taught him the clock and the [score] card… he gets disappointed when it’s the end of the season. Hopefully he’ll take over from me… hopefully I have a few more years left yet.

“For me…I’m looking to the 2032 Olympics!”

And like so many in our water polo community, let’s hope we see Gina there!