Developing our regional areas with Water Polo: Brett Arnold Feature

There is no question that the development of Water Polo has improved in regional areas over the last 40 years with Central Newcastle Water Polo Member and Coach Brett Arnold playing a pivotal role in developing this change.  

Throughout his Water Polo career, Brett has contributed in giving back to the Water Polo community as well as playing a very important part in shaping Newcastle’s juniors and providing opportunities for kids to play Water Polo.

Brett fell in love with the sport from the moment he picked up a water polo ball; and still 43 years later, the passion has kept him playing.

“My father was a very good swim coach. [From that, I came] out of swimming [and] the first time I picked up a water polo ball it just changed my whole perspective. I just love the feeling of playing with team mates [and the] great satisfaction you get out of the game. I think it’s a beautiful game to play, “Arnold said.

Brett Arnold has an extensive sporting background with notable accomplishments. Having moved across to Western Australian by Australian Coach Tom Hoad in 1983/84; Brett played a year in Melville before being selected for the Western Australian State side. He also played five games for Australia in the same season.

Over two decades ago, country athletes had to play in Metro Competitions to be noticed but now the regional events provide a chance for country athletes according to Brett.

“I played with Sydney Uni for a while, that was the only way to get sort of noticed,” he said.

“But now, it’s a lot better because I think a lot of country kids have come forward (like Nathan Thomas and guys from Tamworth) so they realise you can’t deny the country regions. I think what WPNSW is doing, going back to the country with their tournaments this year is a wonderful thing.”

WPNSW will host six regional events in Shoalhaven, Bathurst, Central Coast, Dubbo, Orange and Newcastle for its 2017/18 NSW State Championships. To Brett, it’s the WPNSW events that ignite the spark for regional participation in Water Polo.

“They’re the lifeblood,” he said, when asked how important WPNSW events are to the regional community.

“To me it’s very important that these WPNSW tournaments get out there. Obviously, Water Polo is not the hugest base in the world, but it has grown quite a deal with incorporating the country areas.”

Brett has been able to tailer his playing career to a successful coaching career. Along his list of playing accolades, Brett has finished with gold medals in the Pan Pacs competition with U16s Girls State team and East Coast Challenge (ECC) with U14s Boys State team.

On a national level, Brett has won four silver medals with the Hunter Hurricanes (three with girls and one with boys) with also guiding his Hunter Hurricanes Senior Men’s side to its first ever National League finals in 2013/14; finishing with a bronze medal.

It is not only the achievements that motivates Brett to continue coaching but it’s also the social bonding of its regional athletes and providing opportunities for them to develop.

“I love coaching in Sydney because it’s like bringing the regional and Sydney kids together,” he said.

“If a kid comes and asks me to be coached, I will take him on board,” he continued.

“I have been coaching kids for about 30 years. Water Polo in Newcastle is small; every kid deserves a chance to be coached properly, to develop and have that chance to go forward. If anyone ever asks me, I don’t care if they’re an opposition club or whatever they are it doesn’t make a difference to me because we are too small. I’ve just kept coaching and I don’t charge anyone ever. I do it for the love of the game.”

Brett’s passion for the game has been evident throughout his coaching and this followed through with his success. According to Brett, this is the key factor for coaches which needs to be implemented and developed in the regional areas.

“With a good coach you can get 100 kids [with] better standards and quality. If there are good coaches that love what they’re doing, then the kids will love what they’re doing as well.”