National coach supporting the next generation at KAP7 AYWPC

KAP7 Aussie Sharks Assistant Coach Paul Oberman will be a busy man when he travels to Brisbane for the 2020 KAP7 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

When he’s not working with our Aussie Sharks as part of their international test match preparations, Oberman will be mentoring the next generation of water polo coaches from Western Australia’s Triton Water Polo Club.

The Triton 18&U Girls will benefit from not only the experience of a National team coach, but also UWA OVO AWL player Dayna O’Leary who will be mentored by Oberman.

Oberman and 18&U Triton Girls

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to assist the next generation of Australian coaches,” Oberman said.

“Championships like these are critical for the development of our players, but also referees and coaches.”

Triton’s experience in their 18&U team will also be boosted by Born 02 Australian squad members Natasha Oberman and Antonia Poor.

“Having Antonia in the goals, and knowing she’s got some experience, gives them confidence defensively.“And Natasha is a strong player who has a bright future ahead of her,” he said.

Oberman said that the Triton team have been working hard the last couple of weeks during training, but are looking forward to gaining game experience when in Brisbane.

“What they do in training is practice fundamental skills. But Championships like these give our kids game experience and they’ll always learn something from it,” Oberman said.

But come 5:30pm on Tuesday 14 January, Oberman’s attention will turn to the KAP7 Aussie Sharks who’ll be taking on the USA in the first of a three test match series.

“Any time we play the USA it’s a good battle, we know each other well,” he said.

“We’re quietly confident heading into the games, having just had a good hit out with Croatia.

“Leading into the Olympics you want to know you’ve got your systems down pat and you’d almost say the USA are a little ahead of us at this stage, but we won’t die wondering,” he said.

Oberman said that the AYWPC will also be a good chance for the KAP7 Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

“Our boys know they are fortunate to be at the top of the tree, but they are also aware that there needs to be a massive canopy underneath.,” Oberman said.

“Any experiences and knowledge they can pass on to our juniors are valued to second to none,” he said..”

There will be more than 900 games of water polo, including the international test series, played across the two week festival of water polo, which will feature more than 32000 participants.

The KAP7 Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers will take on the USA in a three test match series at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on 14, 16 and 18 January.

Tickets are selling fast but are available at https://bit.ly/AUSvUSAtix

If you can’t be in Brisbane, you can catch all the action LIVE via the OVOPlay App