By Clara Verina, 16, Canberra Grammar School student

In less than a week, an array of water polo teams and athletes from around the country, each representing their state, will be competing against each other for the ultimate title – National State Champions.

The National State Championship water polo tournament will be held over six days, between September 24 to 29, and will be seen in both Sydney and for the first time, right here in the nation’s capital. 

While the men’s teams will be competing in Sydney, Canberra will host the under 15’s and under 17’s women’s division at the AIS. The tournament is an exciting opportunity for water polo athletes, selected as representing the best athletes from their region and it is especially true here in the ACT.

Joining the ACT’s representative team, the Canberra Dolphins, will be teams competing from as far as Western Australia and the Northern Territory, to the neighboring shores of New Zealand.

The Canberra Dolphins team is made up of players from a multitude of clubs in and around the ACT, most notably from Canberra Grammar School, Gunghalin Dragons, Nordek Water Polo Club, Tuggeranong Vikings, Wagga Wagga, and Woden Waves.

Water polo is a highly competitive action-packed aquatic sport that requires endurance and speed but is enjoyable enough that it can be played in all stages of life. Games have two teams, each with seven players, six in the field and one goalie, squaring off in six or seven-minute quarters. The team that obtains possession first has 30 seconds to score a goal before the ball turns over.

The rules are challenging, but the referees and coaches help the players remember what is allowed in the water and what is not. In the ACT, teams train at various pools around the Territory, many hours a week, including weight training and swimming; and depending on their age group, may train and play on more than one team.

While competitive swimming isn’t necessarily a requirement, most players have previously spent a lot of time in the pool working on their endurance and shooting skills. Cecilia Jacobson, an Under 15’s ACT representative athlete commented on the training leading up to Nationals.

“Training has been pretty intense recently, we have had a lot of extra training sessions and game weekends in preparation,” said Jacobson/ Additionally, she made sure to describe the anticipation that the championships have brought to the team saying, “…we just can’t wait, all the training will pay off”.

The Canberra Dolphins 17U women’s team is coached by Don Cameron, an Australian Olympic water polo player, having competed as goalie in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and coach of the Australian Men’s team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as an experienced national and international referee official.

“It’s not all about winning, medals, and selection. It’s about working together towards a common goal and making friends here and from other places along the way,” said coach Don.

The Dolphin’s under 15U women’s team is coached by Sharyn Arnold, recently named Coach of the Year by Water Polo Australia and the current coach to the women’s team with Nordek Water Polo Club. Coach Sharyn also previously coached many exceptional teams including the Australian National women’s team. Both coaches are experienced and decorated water polo advocates who have instituted a community of water polo comradery and game enjoyment in the ACT. 

The women’s games will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Bruce. Fixtures and results for both the men and women’s divisions can be found by logging on to https://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/games/. 

This is a great opportunity for the ACT community to support the many players, coaches, and volunteers as they battle it out for the honor to be called the National State Champs.