Sydneysider Inde Halligan feeling at home with Harvard Water Polo

Credit: Taylor Covington, Swimming World

Australian Junior Inde Halligan recently made the move to Harvard University in America and has had a standout start to her college career.

Harvard sports possess some of the nation’s most serious athletes, gifting them a place where they can truly accomplish it all. That’s precisely what attracted Inde Halligan.

Halligan grew up in Sydney, where she played on the Australian Junior Water Polo team from 2016-18.

She is the younger sister of Aussie Stingers Bronte Halligan, with their father, Daryl Halligan also an immensely successful professional sportsperosn representing New Zealand in Rugby League and Union.

While the most natural decision seemed to be joining her sister on the West Coast (UCLA) to play for a polo powerhouse, Halligan had a different plan in mind.

Possessing a blossoming passion for government, Halligan was intent on choosing an institution that fit her unique needs both in the pool and the classroom. She found that balance in Head Coach Ted Minnis’ program at Harvard University.

Since joining the squad, Halligan has helped push Harvard Women’s water polo team to an impressive 12-2 start to the season.

As one of the program’s top defenders, Halligan is key in helping the team realise some of their loftiest goals as they eye the conference championship with hopes of establishing an even greater presence on the national stage.

Swimming World sat down with Halligan and Coach Minnis to learn a bit more about Halligan’s journey as one of the sport’s top recruits as well as the ins-and-outs of one special Harvard program.

Swimming World: How did you become involved in water polo?

Halligan: I watched my sister for a couple years before I finally started playing. My parents always had us involved in sports, and even though I started water polo fairly late, I had been swimming and playing water sports for as long as I could remember. It was natural. I got involved around twelve years old, and after I was exposed to the water and fall land sports, I realized that it sort of mixed the two together. I really fell in love and decided to pursue water polo seriously; I’ve never stopped since.

SW: Did you father’s experience as a professional athlete color your own experience in sports?

Halligan: Once I got into water polo, things were nonstop. I was practicing at least four hours a day, and he was always very understanding and supportive, because he understood the demands of athletics. It’s funny because he played rugby and really doesn’t know anything about water polo, but he became so invested and really tried to learn and make us better. Sometimes I’d laugh and say: “Dad, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” But he has been so supportive from the start.

SW: Once you knew that this was something you meant to pursue seriously, how did you go about choosing Harvard? What went into that decision?

Halligan: My older sister went to UCLA, but being the youngest of four kids, I’ve always tried to be different. I guess that’s part of what landed me on the East Coast; I wanted to be unique. As for Harvard, I was really attracted to the academics the school offered. It allowed me to pursue my interests outside the pool. I really like to push myself in the classroom, and an opportunity at Harvard really gave me the chance to do something extraordinary.

SW: Coach – what made Inde an attractive recruit, and what led you to believe she would be an asset to your program?

Minnis: When you have the opportunity to bring in a player of Inde’s caliber, you certainly worry about things such as her sister being on the West Coast, and with [Inde] being extremely strong academically, you have concerns that she’ll end up at at one of the prestigious West Coast universities. As we started going through the process, however, I realized that Harvard was going to be the best fit for her because she has so many interests outside the pool. Here, she’s able to do everything she wants in the classroom while also playing water polo at a high level. Once I figured that out, it was all about convincing her. I put pressure on her early on, because I was worried that she would end up elsewhere, and I eventually moved on. I didn’t believe it until I got that phone call, and Inde told me she wanted to go to Harvard. I told her immediately, “That’s great, because I have a spot for you.” She had to go through the process and learn that this is a special place where we talk about the next 40 years of our players’ lives, not just the next four years.

SW: Inde – you not only moved to a different country to continue your sport at a high level but also did so at one of America’s most rigorous and esteemed universities. What was that transition like for you?

Halligan: It was definitely a new experience, but I’ve always been able to come into my own, even around new people. I’m my loudest and most confident in new and different scenarios, and I don’t shy away from a new challenge. I remember my parents wanting to fly me over for my move, and I demanded they drop me off at the airport gate without taking another step! I flew myself over, and I moved myself in. The academic side of things was certainly difficult to get used to, but – like anything – if you’re efficient and apply yourself, you can manage it all.

SW: The team has had a pretty successful start to the season. What would you ascribe that to, and what makes this year stand out?

Halligan: I think we have a great class coming through now, and the team has really gelled. We have great players in all the different facets of the game, and we’ve gotten to know each other really well. It’s almost something you can’t describe – when something great happens and you can’t pin it down on individual players or a group of players, but it’s the glue that sticks everyone together.

SW: How would you describe the team dynamic at Harvard, and how is collegiate water polo different from what you grew up doing in Australia?

Halligan: Collegiate water polo possesses a new and different intensity. Playing on the Australian team, I wasn’t able to see my fellow athletes every day who were sometimes across the country. There’s something about seeing your teammates each and every day – eating dinner together and training together – that significantly boosts morale, and you learn the in and outs of people. It makes us all better players; we push one another.

SW: What are some major take-aways from your water polo career that have shaped your perspective on life outside the pool?

Halligan: I think water polo, along with all sports, builds resilience. It teaches you how to win, but most importantly, how to lose and still keep your head held high. Sports play a role in how you go about your day; they teach you how to work well under pressure and get the job done. Water polo makes you headstrong.

SW: Inde – how did coming to America prepare you for wherever your future takes you? What are your plans after water polo?

Halligan: I want to end up working as a diplomat or in United Nations. I’m passionate about government, and [the move] has definitely prepared me for working abroad. Harvard itself is rigorous, so I’ve definitely developed the work ethic to transfer to my future occupation.