UNSW WESTS READY TO SWOOP AT CHANCE OF ANOTHER PREMIERSHIP TITLE

UNSW Wests Magpies (men) and Killer Whales (women) were both tracking well before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the 2020 season.

When they line up for the 2021 Australian Waterpolo League in Brisbane, it won’t be a matter of unfinished business but putting the past behind them ready to tackle the challenges this season presents.

UNSW Men’s Head Coach Andrew Yanitsas said that his team is in a good place just weeks out from the season kicking off.

“We’re looking forward to this year’s AWL - it’s a different format this year so that’s presented a different challenge in terms of preparation,” Yanitsas said.

“But they boys have been training hard and I think it’s good to know that it’s (AWL) within reach now. It’s been a distance goal for so long and now it’s so close to becoming a reality,” he said.

UNSW Wests Magpies were the last men’s team to take out the premiership crown, claiming the title in a thrilling final against Drummoyne Devils in the 2019 season.

Defending the title is something that Yanitsas admits is not weighing on the minds of his men.

“That’s a lifetime ago... heading into this season I don’t see there being that residual pressure, the focus will just be on this season and how we can best perform,” Yanitsas said.

“The big draw card this season is going to be heading to Brisbane. We’ve been grinding here in New South Wales for Sydney Super League but Brisbane has always been the end goal.

“This season we’ve adopted more of a national league finals approach - given the nature of the tournament style competition.

“But being in Brisbane is a big plus, that’s the exciting part for the boys to just be able to get away and focus on water polo for a week,” he said.

Personally for Yanitsas there is more on the line than just his men’s team, with his wife Lea Yanitsas lining up for the UNSW Wests Killer Whales.

“It’s great to be at the same club as Lea, and very exciting, but at the same time we’re used to it now,” Yanitsas said.

“Also having little Dino now (2 years old), with both of us being in the same place at the same time it makes it a lot easier.

“Dino loves watching his mummy play, we used to watch her on the livestream but it will be good for him to be there and watch her in Brisbane,” he said.

Rio Olympian Lea will break from her Aussie Stingers Tokyo preparations to captain the UNSW Wests Killer Whales in their 2021 Australian Waterpolo League campaign, with the goal of claiming the premiership title which they last held in 2018.

The 2021 Australian Waterpolo League will kick off in Brisbane on Wednesday 31 March, with teams battling it out across seven days of competition before the all important finals at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 7 April.

The 2021 Australian Waterpolo League is a COVID Safe event in compliance with QLD Health guidelines.

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