FROM BOYS TO MEN: TEAM TASMANIA SIX YEARS ON

Commitment, passion and drive are just three words that could be used to describe the U18s boys team from Tasmania.

This group of boys knows what it means to commit to the team, and each other, more than anyone else.

Having played together since they were 12 years old, now more than six years later majority of the boys still represent Tasmania at the junior nationals.

This year, when they travel to the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, coach Dean Wright said the boys will be looking to capitalise on opportunities.

“Through the development of the Water Polo Tasmania swimming program in 2016 the boys have increased their capacity to play harder for longer,” Wright said.

“They’ve also adopted a mindset that revolves around the tea and the importance of players staying true to their roles in order to achieve success.

“This year’s competition sees us looking to capitalise on six years of hard work to hopefully have a top 10 finish,” he said.

As the only Tasmanian team heading to the AYWPC this year, the team’s preparations are back on track after COVID saw them get creative with their training.

“With COVID-19 putting an end to training at local pools for many months, we had several boys take up ocean swimming, using home gyms, while some other boys took up golf, not only for exercise but to improve their mental strength,” Wright said.

“It has been vital for them to keep active to return to full training, and now they’re raring to go at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships,” he said.

The hard work that all the athletes in Tasmania have put in saw them achieve a momentous seven athletes recognised and included in the Launch to LA squads.

“With the Launch to LA talent identification camp, Water Polo Tasmania has been able to allow seven athletes across four age groups to be included in this incredible opportunity,” Wright said.

“This is something that we haven’t had before, and the kids are all very much looking forward to it,” he said.

The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships kick off in Brisbane on April 7, with the 14&U and 18&U held from 7-11 April and the 12&U and 16&U taking place from 13-17 April 2021.

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