IN CAMP WITH THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WOMEN’S SQUAD

The Australian Youth Women’s squad recently came together for their first training camp of 2023, following the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Perth.

Training camps provide a great opportunity for squads to learn and develop in a short and intense period, and Australian Youth Women’s Head Coach Taryn Woods said the Perth camp was no different.

“It’s been going really well, they’ve obviously come off a week of hard games so coming in reasonably fatigued but that’s part of what we're helping them train for,” Woods said.

“It’s a really great group of young women, who are really keen to learn.

“It’s important to come together, it gives us the opportunity to focus on what we’re trying to achieve and get everybody on the same page.

“We’re working closely together with Paul (Oberman) and the Aussie Stingers so that we’re building those foundations and that style so that as they progress from junior to senior ranks, they are prepared,” she said.

During the camp, in conjunction with the AYWPC, the Youth women’s squad had an opportunity to watch their Aussie Stingers heroes in action against reigning Olympic and World champions,  USA.

“It’s not very often, particularly in the last few years, to get the opportunity to see the top level game and athletes in action,” Woods said.

“It was great for us to be able to reference what we’ve been working on in training, and seeing it in action. 

“It helps reinforce the point that everything we do in training has an application in the game and you can see it done well at the senior level,” she said.

The Youth Women’s squad were joined by an elite group of women, with 4x Olympian Bronwen Knox, former Aussie Stingers captain Rowie Webster, Athens 2004 Olympian Jodie Stuhmcke, London 2012 British Olympian Chloe Wilcox and Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist Yvette Higgins, all joining Woods, herself a Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist, on pool deck as assistant coaches. 

“It’s fantastic, not only do all the coaches on deck with a wealth of playing experience but also coaching experience,” Woods said.

“We’ve had six Olympians coaching throughout the camp, and I think that’s really nice for the girls to see that there is a pathway after playing, but also to see some strong female coaches on the side leading the way.

“The coaches we’ve had are  all fantastic and I think the girls have really got a lot out of it,” she said.

Australian Youth Women’s squad members Anneliese Pamp (NSW) and Jessica Bihler (WA) said it’s been inspiring having strong female role models poolside for the camp.

“We’ve had all women coaches this week, so it’s been awesome getting specifics to the female game,” Pamp said.

“They all specialise in different positions, so getting tricks of the trade from them, and how they played the game on the national and international scene has been great,” she said.

“It’s been so good hearing from them all the little things too, about how they take a penalty shot and approach the game - we’ve been learning so much from them it’s great,” Bihler added.

Pamp and Bihler said the week was made even better by getting to watch the Tri Nations Test Match Series in Perth as well.

“Seeing all the stuff we’ve learnt applied in a game environment - it shows us how we’re all working towards the goal of playing for the Aussie Stingers,” Bihler said.

“The coaches we have now are trying to teach us the same things as those girls we see in the pool, so it’s great to see the process of learning and the final results of what we’re training for as well,” Pamp said.

While they’re focus remains on the 2024 World Aquatics Youth Water Polo Championships, and playing for the Aussie Stingers, Pamp and Bihler said the ultimate goal would be wearing the green and gold at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

“If I’m still loving the game, and still playing by then it would be insane,” Pamp said.

“There’s a lot of effort that goes into making the team to represent your country, and to be able to do it at home in front of family and friends would be absolutely incredible,” she said

“It would be amazing - no words to describe it,” Bihler said.