The chance to showcase, and possibly develop, future Olympians is one of the reasons Water Polo NSW opted to take the Under 14 Girls State Championships to Dubbo.
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The Championships began at Dubbo Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Monday, with the state’s best doing battle in the lead-up to Friday’s finals.
This marks the second consecutive year Water Polo NSW has taken elite competitions out west, the boys 14s titles were at Dubbo last year.
“We’re very, very excited. It’s one of the first times we’ve brought events here,” tournament director Chris Dyson said.
“Regional development is one of our big priorities at Water Polo NSW and it’s one of the reasons we brought our events to regional NSW, to promote it.”
Another reason is to give a boost to the newly-formed Dubbo Water Polo club, which has been up and running for only roughly a year.
“Dubbo has a new association with Water Polo NSW and it’s great to bring the game here to help promote and help them,” Dyson added.
Thirteen teams are taking part in the Championships at Dubbo and the SNB Breakers Blue outfit gave an early indication of its talent when trouncing Sydney Uni Lions Gold 16-1 in the competition’s opening match.
The Breakers Blue side shot out of the gate and led 9-0 at half time and two quick goals early in the third quarter dismissed any chance of a Lions God fightback.
“That’s a really good start to the tournament,” Breakers Blue coach Carla Woolley said.
“There’s a couple of things we still need to work on but they did really well and played as a team.
“They’re such a great group of girls to coach.”
As Woolley indicated, teamwork was key to the Blue Breakers success and there was plenty of patient build-up to many goals while others came off the back of swift counter-attacks and that kind of class will be on show all week.
“We’ve got the bets players in NSW here,” Dyson said.
There’s no doubt a number of the players at Dubbo this week could become Olympians and Dyson added he would love to see another regional player reach the top.
Dubbo is home to Sam McGregor, a three-time Olympian and Australian water polo great, and Dyson said his journey is proof players from the country can get noticed.
“There’s definitely incredible players who come from regional NSW,” Dyson added.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
