Leading into the inaugural Australian Youth Water Polo Championships at Brisbane beginning this Saturday the level of dedication within the Triton Water Polo Club 16&U Girls team is unquestionable.

The team boasts one player who travels from Geraldton in an eight-hour return drive, another girl comes up from Bunbury in a four hour round trip, two young guns are stepping up to the 16&U Girls age division and a goalkeeper will play across both weeks of competition.

These are the sort of determined players every coach wants in their team.

Assistant Coach Kali Oberman along with Head Coach Tayla Barbas is lucky enough to be in charge of this team in their purist of national success during the second week in Brisbane.

“We have been training for this tournament since September. We started with two sessions per week, but in December and January stepped it up with a couple of three-day camps.”

“The camps are about getting the girls together and for them to learn how they can play their role,” said Oberman.

As a team, they know where their strengths lie and are aiming high.

“The goal is to get a top 10 finish, top eight would be fantastic, but if we can get inside the top 10 I think we’ll be pretty happy.

“We have a lot of fast swimmers and are really strong at defence as a group with a very good goalkeeper,” said Oberman.

The group of West Australian girls are excited for their big trip to Brisbane.

“I think they’re looking forward to the trip in general. A lot haven’t been together away as a team, so it will be great for the girls to get to know each other a bit better.

“It’s also a good opportunity to learn how other teams play,” she said.

When Oberman ventures to Brisbane she will have experience as a player from six different national championships, but never as a coach, until now.

“I am a little nervous as this is my first ever time coaching at nationals, but Tayla and I have been feeding off each other, to see what works and what doesn’t.

“The girl have a very positive attitude and want to come out with a really good result. They just love the idea of being a team.

As they prepare for their first game of the tournament, I will simply tell them to go out, have fun and enjoy it," said Oberman.

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.

Find out what else is happening outside the pool - click here.