TASSIE FATHER & SON READY FOR AYWPC

When Hunter Wright lines up at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Brisbane, his dad won’t just be cheering for him, he’ll be calling the shots from the sideline as his coach.

Dean and Hunter Wright are just one of the many family combinations that are set to participate in the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) later this month.

The Tasmanian father-son duo will travel to Brisbane with the Sandy Bay/Honey Badger team, as one of the 170 teams that will line up for the AYWPC.

For Hunter, he started playing eight years ago at school, with his dedication to the sport earning him a spot in the Australian 15&U squad.

Living 45 minutes from the pool, it’s a huge commitment for the whole family with Wright training five times week.

While still in the junior ranks, Hunter has aspirations to one day replicate the career of his idol, triple Olympian and Aussie Sharks player Richie Campbell.

“My goal is to play in the national league (Australian Waterpolo League) and one day, hopefully, make the Olympic Games team.

“Making the Born 2003 squad I was very happy… it’s a real honour and privilege to play for your country,” he said.

While some players couldn’t imagine having a parent as their coach, Hunter says he doesn’t know any difference and enjoys it.

“I've always had him as my coach growing up, he's been my coach all the way through right up to the National team.

“He's learnt as I've learnt and we can work together to help the rest of the people in the Tassie team to succeed.

“The atmosphere in our team is good among leading into the nationals… we believe that we can be competitive in Brisbane,” said Hunter.

For dad Dean, he said that Hunter knows there will be no favours when it comes to training or the competitions.

“At the Perth nationals we played off in the bowl final but didn’t win. I would like us to try and finish in the top 15 (in Brisbane).

“Some of our team come to training from very far distances. Some swim full time with the swim club and the come to training afterwards.

“We have some young kids… Born 2004s and a Born 2005, so there is mix bag of ages. But they play for each other and that’s all we can do.

“I want them to play team water polo, with no selfish acts… if we can achieve that I’ll be happy regardless where we finish on the table,” said Dean.

Dean said there are a few players in his team who are eager to use the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships as a stepping stone into representative teams and are ready to impress selectors.

“There are a couple of boys which are keen to go further and they know the selectors will be there and they could get an opportunity they that haven’t in past five years.

“Our team and I have seen how Hunter’s water polo improved 10 times after his trip away to Sebria with the Australian Team.

“Since he’s been back, he’s played in premiership with the Sandy Bay Men’s team and picked up MVP in the grand final men’s competition... all things he wouldn’t have dreamt of doing without the self-belief he gained from the Australian team tour,” said Dean.

The overwhelming goals Dean and the Sandy Bay/Honey Badger team, is to enjoy the tournament and do their best.

“We’ll just go and try play hard but fair polo and keep it within the Think.Act.Play,” said Dean.

BE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

Join us at the AYWPC Welcome Functions – click here for tickets.

Pre-purchase your merchandise – click here. 

Teams will have free entry to the first test match between Australia and Japan. Want to come along to the second test match? Purchase your tickets here.

Want to make the most of your time in Brisbane? Find out more - click here to download your FREE guide to Brisbane.