ORD MINNETT AUSSIE SHARKS TO FACE NEW ZEALAND IN WATER POLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OCEANIA QUALIFIER

Published Thu 06 Mar 2025

Just months after their history-making campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks will face New Zealand in a best of three series to determine the Oceania Qualifier for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships to be held in Perth, WA.

Tickets on sale - click here

The three-test match series in Perth, will be held on Thursday 17, Saturday 19 and Tuesday 22 April, alongside with the biggest water polo competition in the southern hemisphere - the 2025 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

More than 2500 junior athletes from across the country will descend on the west coast, and with today’s announcement will have the chance to see their Olympic heroes in action.

Water Polo Australia CEO Tim Welsford said: “We’re excited to be hosting the Oceania Qualifier for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, and for our water polo community to be able to watch our Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks in action.

“We all witnessed the efforts of our Sharks in Paris - defeating world heavyweights Serbia, Hungary and hosts France along the way. But the Oceania Qualifier marks the beginning of the LA 2028 Olympic cycle, and a new phase for Tim Hamill and his team.

“This series will be the first chance for our Aussie fans to see the team in action in 2025, in what’s shaping up to be an action packed and exciting year for our senior national teams,” he said.

After his debut Games in Paris, Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks Olympian, and Perth local, Luke Pavillard said he’s looking forward to heading back to where it all began.

“I’m always excited to play and represent Australia in front of a home crowd, it’s been several years since the last time I had the opportunity so it’s special that my family and friends can be there to support me.

“After Paris, I know everyone is excited for this next Olympic cycle and for it to really kick off against New Zealand in Perth is a feeling I can’t really put into words.

“The amount of belief the team has after Paris is still so strong and we all can’t wait to get back in the water together and continue our journey towards LA,” he said.

Tickets are now on sale for all three games, starting at $19.80 per person. CLICK HERE to purchase

*PLEASE NOTE: Participants in the 2025 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will need to purchase tickets to attend the games

Won’t be in Perth? Water Polo Australia is also pleased to announce Kayo Sports as the official broadcast partner of the Water Polo World Championships Oceania Qualifier.

All three games will be broadcast LIVE on Kayo Sports from 7pm AWST/9pm AEST.

WATER POLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OCEANIA QUALIFIER