Five years ago the sport of water polo didn't get much thought in Dubbo.
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But since then a club has been formed, the numbers have grown, and now its making its presence felt in the pool.
On the weekend the Dubbo Water Polo Club sent a representative team to a tournament for the first time, and the under 12s mixed outfit delivered in a huge way.
Coached by former Australian captain Sam McGregor, the team made it all the way to the gold medal match at the Water Polo NSW Under 12s Carnival at Orange only to suffer a narrow 5-3 loss to the Gunnamatta Great White Sharks.
"To go and be competitive against clubs that have been around a lot longer is a real credit to the kids," McGregor, also the president of Dubbo Water Polo Club, said.
"It was the first tournament for them and some were even in goalkeeper for the first time and things like that, plus there was slightly different rules to some of the modified ones we play with.
"They put on a fantastic show in the final. There was a a few Gunnamatta players who were real class acts and you could tell they were very experienced and a little too good.
"But I was surprised we made the grand final, to be honest."
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McGregor said much credit went to Water Polo NSW for allowing smaller clubs like Dubbo to feature players right on the age cut-off line to increase participation.
But even with that leniency, the results should't have come as a huge surprise given the Dubbo club's growth in recent years.
McGregor started the club four years ago and there was less than 50 members.
Now there's roughly 115, ranging from juniors to those closer to 60 years of age.
There's a dedicated competition night on Tuesdays and while it's a social atmosphere focused on participation, the development of players has been clear.
"There's kids asking how they can get better and how they can improve and it's fantastic to see their eyes light up when they talk about water polo," McGregor said.
"Some tell me Tuesday is their favourite day of the week because it's when they come to the pool.
"It's been very humbling for me. I had no idea about how it works behind the scenes so it's been a real eye-opener but rewarding and enjoyable."
On top of the weekend's success, seven club juniors are in the running to make NSW sides in the coming months.
McGregor admitted it is unlikely, given the Dubbo players' limited experience, but he said being in the running was still and "amazing achievement".
Eva and Abby Osborne are pushing for a spot in the under NSW 14s girls' side while Darcy Wood (under 18s), Hamish Wood (under 16s), Sean McCabe (under 16s), Cooper Smith (under 14s) and Declan McGregor (under 14s) are also in contention.
The group will be a part of development camps before being put in the draft ahead of the club championships and selected in other clubs' teams to showcase their skills to selectors.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for them to see water polo at the next level," McGregor said.
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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.
