As anticipation builds for the upcoming Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC), New Zealand’s Otago Wahine Toa U16 Girls are preparing for an exciting new chapter as they head to Brisbane.
Travelling from Dunedin, this young squad is set to experience their first taste of international competition, bringing with them a mix of enthusiasm, nerves and strong team connection.
Team Manager Chloe Hawken said the group is eagerly counting down to the tournament.
“The girls are so excited to be travelling with their friends,” Hawken said.
“They are also a little nervous as they know there will be some tough competition!”
The Wahine Toa will arrive with a tight-knit group, many of whom are balancing both excitement and the unknown as they prepare to test themselves against top Australian sides.
Among the players to watch is Annalise Miller, a nationally ranked age group swimmer in New Zealand who brings speed, endurance and natural athleticism into the pool.
“A player to watch is Annalise Miller, she is a nationally ranked age group swimmer in New Zealand and she is pretty handy with a water polo ball,” Hawken said.
Adding to the uniqueness of the squad is its youthful energy, including one standout detail that reflects both courage and opportunity within the group.
“We even have a 12-year-old playing for the team,” Hawken said.
Guiding the team is Coach Kelly, an experienced coach with an impressive international background, who has represented New Zealand and played at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as competing professionally in Europe.
“Coach Kelly has played for New Zealand, played for University of Hawaii at Manoa, Russian club Shtrum Lille and France,” Hawken said.
“Now she is shaping the way our young Dunedin girls play.
“We are flying over the day before the competition starts. First time for all the kids to play out of NZ.”
While the competition itself will be fierce, the team is equally excited about the experience beyond the games, particularly something many Australian players take for granted.
“Playing in outdoor pools! It’s a massive novelty for the girls,” Hawken said.
With their first international tournament ahead of them, the Otago Wahine Toa are embracing every aspect of the journey, using their trip to Brisbane as an opportunity to grow, challenge themselves, and create lasting memories both in and out of the pool.
The 2026 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will take place in Brisbane from 8-18 April 2026. Bringing together over 250 teams from across Australia and internationally, the event will be a true festival of water polo for teams in the 12&U, 14&U, 16&U and 18&U events.
A select number of games will be livestreamed via KommunityTV across the two weeks. Click here for the livestream link.
Looking to make the most of your trip to Brisbane? We’ve got you covered. Explore the river city and all the best things to do in Brisbane here.
