FACES OF AYWPC | OLIVIA MITCHELL (NSW)

Coaches at all levels of the water polo play a vital role in attracting and retaining players, whether that is at the Club, state or national level.

The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships boast more than 140 teams from across Australia, and at the centre of those teams are the coaches who help guide them to the event. 

One such coach is Balmain’s Olivia Mitchell, who coaches the Clubs 14&U Girls side. When it comes to juggling multiple water polo hats, Mitchell does it well not only coaching but also forming part of Balmain’s Australian Waterpolo League (AWL), has been a member of underage Australian squads as well as NSWIS scholarship holder.

Coaching Flippaball and junior water polo when she was in high school, Mitchell said she was encouraged by those in the Club to take up the role at just age 20. 

“I coached U12s and little teams while I was at school and then I coached 14B’s because they didn’t have a coach and I loved it.  I think we lost every game, but it didn’t matter… developing those girls and seeing them come through was really nice. 

“So then I was asked to coach the 14As and last year [at AYWPC] we had a full bottom age team and I think we came around sixth. But it was amazing. 

“The girls I have this year, all pretty much growing up in Balmain [Club]... and this team is unbelievable.  I’m really privileged that they respect me as a coach, even though I’m young. 

“They are genuinely really nice girls. They respect that I’m trying to get them where they need to be and where we want them to be. 

“Playing [AWL] and then just starting coaching, it was hard at first because I had to go back to basics. They know their stuff but you have to break it down for them,” she said. 

Water Polo boasts a great representation of male and female participation, but in the coaching ranks women have traditionally fallen short. In the last four years female water polo coaching numbers have continued to grow, with Mitchell saying there are really great role models for young female coaches to aspire to. 

“Coaching is so rewarding, it puts a smile on my face every day. If you coach how you’d like to be coached, and they respect you, they’ll perform.  And they’ll be the best they can be for themselves and for you because they want to make you proud. 

“I’m really lucky to have people like Taryn [Woods] in my corner, her daughter is in my team. Even after a game we lost she gives me a little bit of insight.  It’s not just Taryn… it’s Cara [O’Neill], it’s Bronwyn [Smith]... I’ve got all these people around me supporting me.  Also I look at my coaches like [NSWIS coach] Bec Rippon - it is thanks to them, that we females get the opportunities we have now,” she said. 

The 2022 AYWPC saw Balmain’s 14&U Girls walk away with a silver medal.  Mitchell said while the results are good, it’s really about making sure the girls have fun and enjoy their water polo. 

“I don’t think you can win without enjoying it. I think if you want to win you have to make sure the players are having fun because they are not going to put in the effort if they aren’t having fun.  

“I am the most competitive person and I want to win at everything. But if I don’t have fun, the wins aren’t as enjoyable. That’s what my coaches, like Bec [Rippon] always tell me too. So I make sure I share that with my team,” she said.  

While Mitchell has plenty on the horizon as a player, she also has one eye on her coaching career as well. 

“I’m sticking with this ‘09 age group and I would like to stick with them until U18s. The Club does a really good job to make sure I can be coaching and training [AWL].  

“It doesn't matter what level I’m coaching at, I can definitely see myself being in that coaching environment for a long time, whether that’s coaching or mentoring.

“My lesson learnt as a coach is to be patient… they may not win at the start, but if they keep growing with you and themselves, if anything your team will come out on top,” she said.