NSW Blues Country Captain Libby Magann announces retirement

Libby Magann first represented NSW Blues Country in 2003, playing at the Arafura Games in Darwin. 19 years later, she has played her final game for the Blues, captaining the team to the gold medal at the 2022 Australian Country Championships.  

Reflecting on her journey with the Blues, Libby shares some memories and what water polo means for her.

'It’s hard for me to describe what it meant for me to be a part of the NSW Blues this year at the Australian Country Champs. For me, it was a tournament with so much emotion. It was my last in the Blues team as Blues captain and also because of the connections that were made between the players. The icing on the cake was that we took home the Gold medal.

I have always been passionate about playing country water polo. I was born in Tamworth, started playing as an 11-year-old at Tamworth High School in 1992 and I have been fortunate enough to have experienced what it means to be a regional athlete and I am grateful for the opportunities I had and friendships I’ve made along the way. I’ve played at State and National country level, I’ve played National League in Australia and professionally in Hungary for Szentesi Vizilabda Klub. Water Polo has taken me to places I would never have dreamed.

I've made many long-lasting friendships along the way and been inspired by many people including players before me, my team mates and coaches. Water Polo players are the kind of people you meet and you instantly know where you fit in the world. My team is my polo family and there is no better feeling to be on tour with them, you can be yourself and fit right in, these girls inspire me to be the best I can be. The culture in the NSW team was passed on to me back in the day when I was the youngest in the team and I hope that this legacy continues through to the next generations of NSW players and that they understand what a privilege it is to represent our State.

This year it was an honour to captain the NSW Blues and I will never forget this week of water polo or how the Blues girls made me feel knowing that I was passing on the NSW Blues #4 cap after the final. I felt emotions and connections stronger that I have ever felt with another team. I will never forget the respect that these girls showed me, or their determination to win. They wanted to win for each other, for me, our coach and for NSW. Nothing better than playing a grand final with the NSW team, having absolute confidence in them and knowing they want the win as badly as you do.

People ask me why or how I could still be playing water polo for so long and the simple answer is that I just love it. I love the trips away to new places, I love the people, I love the connections that are made with team mates and players from other teams. It’s so good turning up to a tournament and catching up with old friends and feeling like you're picking up from the last time you saw each other. I give a lot of my time to administering, coaching and playing water polo but I have to be honest and say that the sport gives me so much more in return and that’s the reason I’m still involved.

To me, country water polo is mateship, fun times, laughs, passion, opportunity, lifelong connections and memories. As a country athlete, I’m proof that you can play at the highest level of the game. There are pathways for country athletes to pursue their playing career and the possibilities are endless.

I step away from the Blues with a full heart, good memories and amazing friendships and I know that the NSW country team spirit is strong and in safe hands and I look forward to the next chapter involving water polo…whatever that may look like.' Libby Magann NSW Country Water Polo athlete.