Olympians inspiring the next generation ahead of 2021 AYWPC

The Polo Bears have continued to develop their participation base over the past few years.

When Sydney 2000 Olympic Games gold medallist Naomi McCarthy returned to the club they had four teams... now they have 19.

“It really shows our commitment to the development of our players and that we provide a space for kids to enjoy water polo at all levels,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy coaches the Under 16s Boys team which includes her son, Isaac. She said that coaching your kids is always hard, but now that he is older it is easier, and their connection has grown.

“It is a good thing that we do together, we both love and understand the sport and it builds a stronger connection between us.”

When Water Polo Queensland announced the inaugural WPQ Premier League, the Polo Bears were quick to jump at the chance of having teams involved.

This expansion of the senior ranks within the club started the development pathway from U12s right through to the premier league teams.

“The Premier League made it obvious that this is something we need to do and think about. We have started building this with our girls but have a little further to go with our boys,” she said.

Fellow Sydney 2000 gold medallist Jo Clark (nee Fox) and triple Olympian Bron Knox returned to compete for Polo Bears in the 2021 WPQ Premier League, something which McCarthy sees value in.

“Having players like Bron (Knox) and Jo (Fox) around the club gives the junior players someone to look up to,” McCarthy said.

“It is something we all had through our water polo journeys as well, and for us older players it is a way for us to give back to our old clubs,” she said.

McCarthy was part of the 2000 Women’s Water Polo team that won gold at the Sydney Olympics, and a beneficiary of a home Olympics.

With the International Olympic Committee recently entering targeted dialogue with Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic Games, McCarthy said it’s interesting to contemplate that she could now be coaching athletes who could be competing in Brisbane 2032.

“I hadn’t thought about it like that. I just think about the growth and development of our athletes in our club and watching them grow from U12s to higher level athletes,” she 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.

The 2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is a COVID Safe event in compliance with QLD Health guidelines.

For tickets to the 2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships - click here

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