Successful 18&U team from the USA traveling to Australian Youth Water Polo Championships

While many travel from far and wide to attend the great Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC), there is no team traveling further than MATS POLO, who will travel from the United States of America to compete against the best of the best on Australian soil.

A highlight on the national Water Polo calendar, the AYWPC will take place in Brisbane 2024 from January 5-16 across multiple venues.

Having participated in the event for the first time earlier this year, the California-based MATS team of 12 will compete in the 18&U Girls division with an array of new and returning players, and Head Coach John Roemer could not be more thrilled for the team to return.

“The MATS team participated in the AYWPC last year and all the girls said it was the best trip they'd ever been on,” stated Roemer.

“This year, all of the girls come from successful high school teams. Six of them are from Miramonte High School that has won the California State championship three years in a row and is currently ranked the number one high school team in the USA.

“Our goal is to have fun and to be successful in the pool. We placed second last year and we're hoping to place in the top four this year.

“We are all very much looking forward to traveling to Australia, learning about the culture, participating and forming new friendships again in January,” said Roemer.

Roemer’s connection to Australian Water Polo goes back to the early 2000’s.

“My connection with Water Polo in Australia goes back to the early 2000’s when I was playing masters with my good friend Lance Johnson at the Mermaids Water Polo Club in Brisbane,” said Roemer.

“Some years later in December of 2015 my daughter Jewel and her good friend Cassidy traveled to Australia to play with the Mermaids in the Queensland State Championships. They won the first game of the tournament and I will never forget the excitement and the look on those girls' faces, it was like they just won the gold medal at the Olympics!

“Their team went on to win the Queensland State Championships and it was truly a remarkable, amazing, once in a lifetime experience for all involved.”

The AYWPC will take place across various venues in Brisbane from early to mid January 2024. To learn more about the event, visit the website here.

ORD MINNETT TEST MATCH SERIES

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers will also be in Brisbane for the AYWPC, playing in a three test match series. Find out more and purchase your tickets here.

TOP 17 THINGS TO DO IN BRISBANE

You’ll have a ball in Brisbane while here for the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) from 5-16 January. Plunge into the city and surrounds with this list of must-do experiences, from island hopping and adrenaline-fueled fun, to a foodie feast and endless summer sport.

The city will come alive when more than 210 teams from around the country compete in the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships for 12&U, 14&U, 16&U and 18&U divisions. We hope to see you, your team and family out and about exploring Brisbane’s must-do experiences. 

CLICK HERE to find out more.