One of the things most exciting about the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is getting the opportunity to travel interstate with your teammates.
But for Geraldton 16&U Girls, who are based in Western Australia, they are most looking forward to welcoming the water polo community to their own backyard.
Perth will come alive when the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships comes to town, with more than 150 teams visiting for the annual festival of water polo from 9-19 January 2023.
16&U player Billie Marshall said she’s excited to represent the Geraldton community in Perth.
“We are all so stoked to be participating in the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships,” Marshall said.
“Having the opportunity to represent our community in Perth…we can’t stop talking about how excited we are to meet new teams too and see how we go in the water.
“Our team is full of skilful and enthusiastic girls, willing to put in 100% into whatever they’re doing, to better improve themselves as a player and have fun while doing so,” she said.
Billie added that it’s not only their own competition they are looking forward to, but also watching their Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks heroes in action too.
“It is amazing that the test matches are occurring during the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships,” Marshall said.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to watch such high level games and being able to see the best in water polo, and how we can better improve our skills,” she said.
Coaching the 16&U Geraldton team is Wade Kalajzich, who said his team have been training hard in preparation for the competition.
“Our players have been motivated to train hard to achieve their goals and improve their level of game knowledge, ball handling skills and game fitness in the lead up to the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships,” Kalajzich said.
“We have a great group of committed girls who have been turning up to all our training sessions. They are an enthusiastic, motivated and positive team of girls who are all very good friends and get along well.
“We are all very keen for the competition and can’t wait to play our hardest,” he said.
Bringing his team together for the AYWPC has been no easy feat, with players from across the Geraldton region joining forces.
“Our 16&U team is made up from four different clubs in the Geraldton Water PolO Association with an age range from 14 to 16,” Kazajzich said.
“The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will be the team’s first opportunity to play together.
“We have created a positive environment to learn in and everyone is very encouraging towards each toher.
“Apart from training hard, fun is the second most important aspect, meaning we enjoy learning and developing together as a team.
“Over the course of the 12 weeks we have been working together, each player has improved and are all now playing at a higher level.
“There is a lot of excitement in the team about the tournament, and everyone is super pumped and prepared,” he said.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets to the Tri Nations Water Polo Test Match Series
The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships are set to be held from 9-19 January 2023, with teams from across the country converging on Perth for 11 days of water polo fun and action. More information about the 2023 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships can be found HERE
