PATH TO PERTH - THE POLO BEARS ARE HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS AT THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

The North Brisbane Polo Bears Girls 18&U team will be looking to go one better this year when they fly to Perth next month to take part in the 2025 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC). 

After finishing runners up to the visiting California-based MATS Polo team in an 18-8 grand final showdown at last year's AYWPC in Brisbane, the Polo Bears this year have their sights on one colour in particular - gold.

Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist, Naomi McCarthy will be once again back at the helm as team coach. 

McCarthy believes that the team possesses the talent and determination to be genuine contenders for this year’s title. 

“We have a really strong team,” said McCarthy. “In all we have five players who are a part of the National Age Group Program (NAGP), with players Bless Daly, Willow Spero, Ali McCarthy, Emerson McEwan and Isabelle O’Connor all members of the Australian National squad. 

“Our standout player is likely to be Bless Daly”.  

Daly has had an impressive 2025 Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) season with the ladder leading Griffith University Queensland Thunder.

However McCarthy says that she is also looking forward to seeing a number of the team's players shine in Perth. 

"We have a lot of club players in the team as well who are sort of right on the fringe of national squads, who are just really talented players,” said McCarthy. 

Through a holistic lens, McCarthy said that the AYWPC is great for not only bringing the Australian water polo community together, but also for keeping young people involved in the sport. 

“I think it is nice for an under-18s age group to have the opportunity to travel and do something different with the sport,” said McCarthy. 

“It is always fun when you’re in a team to travel together and play different teams that you normally wouldn’t get the chance to play.  

“We want to keep as many players involved as possible and the AYC definitely helps us to do that. 

The 2025 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will be held in Perth from 14-24 April. For more information on the event - click here.

Passport to Perth

The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will make a stunning return to Perth / Boorloo, Western Australia in April 2025.

Planning on joining us in Perth / Boorloo? Check out these awesome spots and make your week of water polo one to remember - click here to find out more