Hunter Hurricanes siblings making the trip to the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships

A hallmark event on the Water Polo Australia calendar, the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) will make a stunning return to Brisbane from 5 to 16 January 2024.

With more than 210 teams from around Australia set to take part across four age groups, the event is a special one for many, including Hunter Valley siblings Taylor and Charli Donaldson who will attend as a coach and player respectively.

Eighteen year old Taylor, who played for the Hunter Hurricanes during the 2023 Australian Waterpolo League, will attend the AYWPC for the first time in a coaching capacity, having competed at the event up until last year.

“I’m very grateful to be in the position to coach, it will be different to what I’m used to but I’m just really excited to be a part of the team and coach under the Hunter Hurricanes name,” said Taylor.

“The kids are all looking forward to the competition as well. My boys are very competitive so playing against the big teams from Brisbane and Sydney will be really good for them and their development.

“Ultimately, they're all a big group of mates that get along really well, and they’re all willing to give anything a crack, whether it’s a challenging drill or swimming. They give it 100%, their best all the time,” he said.

The Hunter Hurricanes will be represented by a boys and girls 12&U team to the AYWPC in January, both in the gold division.

For Taylor, coaching the next generation of players is a full circle moment.

“I remember my U14 and U16’s coach that I’m playing with now actually, just looking up to him so much when I was younger. Some of the kids come to the pool now and they’ll be cheering you on and yelling your name as you walk past and it’s quite surreal cause I can see myself in them. It definitely keeps me motivated.

“I hope our trip to the Championships can inspire our players to keep playing and that it helps them fall in love with the sport just like I did when I was younger.

With his sister Charli competing at the AYWPC for the first time in 2024, the event will be notable for the pair in more ways than one.

“Of course this year will be special for my family because my sister and I are both going. Charli will be competing in the U12 girls team and it’ll be great to be there to support her, said Taylor.

“Charli is so keen to compete. When we were going through the selection process she’d come to me every day and ask if she was in and had to keep saying ‘hold up, we haven’t decided anything yet, you’ll find out when everyone else does’.

“The U12 girls team is looking really strong too. Some of the girls are actually going to play up in the first week in the U14 age group, so they’ve got a strong team and I think they’ll do very well this year,” he finished.

AYWPC debutant Charli has been looking forward to playing at the event for years, having watched her brother compete several times. While she is hoping to be competitive, Charli is also looking forward to becoming closer with her teammates.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and spending more time with all my teammates. I’ve got some really good friends but I’ve never been away with them before, so it will be fun,” she said.

“It will also be good to see other teams and improve a lot on my skills.

“I also can’t wait to travel up with my brother, he helps me a lot with my water polo so I’m really excited to be there with him. I do water polo rep training on Mondays and normal training on Tuesdays, but me and Taylor do extra training together on Sundays, so I’m feeling prepared,” Charli finished.

The AYWPC will take place across various venues in Brisbane from early to mid January 2024. To learn more about the event, visit the website here.

ORD MINNETT TEST MATCH SERIES

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers will also be in Brisbane for the AYWPC, playing in a three test match series. Find out more and purchase your tickets here.

TOP 17 THINGS TO DO IN BRISBANE

You’ll have a ball in Brisbane while here for the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) from 5-16 January. Plunge into the city and surrounds with this list of must-do experiences, from island hopping and adrenaline-fueled fun, to a foodie feast and endless summer sport.
The city will come alive when more than 210 teams from around the country compete in the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships for 12&U, 14&U, 16&U and 18&U divisions. We hope to see you, your team and family out and about exploring Brisbane’s must-do experiences. 

CLICK HERE to find out more.