ROAD TO PERTH: TEAM SPIRIT THE FOCUS FOR NORDEK WATER POLO CLUB

The countdown to the 2023 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) is heating up, with just over 30 days to go until more than 140 teams from across the country arrive in Perth.

For Nordek Water Polo Club in Canberra, the AYWPC is something they look forward to each year, giving them the opportunity to build their water polo skills by playing against different teams.

14&U player Elisabeth Palmer said her team have been training hard, and are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.

“We’re very excited to be heading to Perth and we’re expecting it to be a fun and challenging experience for us,” Palmer said.

“We’ve had lots of training and it’s been going really well. Our Nordek team is a strong one and we have a great bond with each other in and out of the water.

“We pay hard, but we make sure we’re having fun doing it too,” she said.

Palmer said what makes her team extra special is their coach Eilis, an 18&U player giving back to the sport.

“Our coach Eilis is coming to Perth, and she is an amazing coach and support to our team,” Palmer said.

“She doesn’t get upset if we lose, she just gives us things we could improve on that we can take to our next training session.

“We’re also thankful for our incredible manager Naomi who organises us all, and most of this wouldn’t be possible without them,” she said.

Coach Eilis Rogis said she is proud of the work her team have put in at training so far, and excited to see it all come together in Perth.

“Preparations have been going well - we’ve really concentrated on building up a strong fitness base and now are focusing on technique and game play,” Rogis said.

“Our team is full of hardworking girls who always put in 110%...the girls are very excited to go away and spend some quality time with their teammates and play some water polo.

“All I want from the team while we’re in Perth is to play to the best of their abilities and gain some confidence and experience,” she said.

Nordek will be sending two teams to the AYWPC - Rogis’ 14&U Girls team as well as a 14&U Boys team, led by coach Ansis Everson.

“The AYWPC will be a great experience for our young team to get over to the other side of the country for some high level water polo,” Everson said.

“For many of the players, this will be their first time travelling to Western Australia and we’re definitely looking forward to playing against some teams from around the country that we don’t get to play often.

Our main goal as a team is to just improve from game to game, learn what we can from some strong opponent and of course, have fun,” he said.

Everson said his team are also looking forward to the opportunity to watch the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers in action.

“It’ll be an amazing opportunity for our young athletes to see some of the world’s best water polo players in action,” Everson said.

“In Canberra, we don’t have many opportunities for the young teams to watch the highest level of water polo, so to have the chance to watch both the Sharks and Stingers play in the flesh will be inspiring for all our Nordek players,” he said.

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The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships are set to be held from 9-19 January 2023, with teams from across the country converging on Perth for 11 days of water polo fun and action. More information about the 2023 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships can be found HERE