Water Polo NSW
OPEN COUNTRY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS CELEBRATING REGIONAL WATER POLO SUCCESS
Open Country Club Championships Celebrating Regional Water Polo Success
The recent Open Country Club Championships on the Central Coast highlighted the incredible talent, determination, and growth of regional water polo clubs across New South Wales. This year’s event was a true showcase of the dedication and passion that define regional water polo, with every team contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the competition.
Among the many outstanding teams, we celebrate the achievements of three standout clubs —Gosford Water Polo Club, Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club, and Illawarra Water Polo Club — each bringing a unique story to the tournament. However, beyond these individual successes, this event reaffirmed the depth of talent and strong sense of community that continue to drive the sport forward across NSW.
Gosford Water Polo Club: Dominating with Back-to-Back Championships
Gosford Water Polo Club once again demonstrated their dominance, securing back-to-back championships in both the men’s and women’s A Division. Their outstanding performance across the competition reflects a culture of hard work, commitment, and a strong development pathway that has seen many players rise through the ranks from Flippaball (U10s) to senior competition.
Key Highlights:
- Double Champions: Both the men’s and women’s A Division teams defended their titles successfully.
- B Division Representation: Gosford’s commitment to depth and development was evident as both their men’s and women’s teams also competed in the B Division.
- MVP Honours: Sam and Harlei, both from Gosford, were crowned MVPs of the tournament.
- Refereeing Recognition: Josie received her development referee award, showcasing the club’s commitment to officiating and holistic water polo development.
Insights from Gosford Water Polo Club President Derek Hennessy
Derek Hennessy, Gosford’s club president, spoke about what makes the club so successful: “Maintaining back-to-back championships is an incredible achievement, and it’s a reflection of the dedication of our players, coaches, managers, committee members, and volunteers. We encourage participation for fun while striving to be the best. Our club is built on strong values of teamwork, commitment, and skill development.”
He highlighted the importance of youth development, noting that many of Gosford’s senior players have been with the club since Flippaball. “Our structured training programs, even during the winter months, ensure that all athletes receive expert coaching with an emphasis on skill progression, game awareness, and fitness,” he added.
Josie’s recognition as a referee was also a point of pride: “It’s a huge milestone for the club and reinforces our commitment to developing officials as well as players.”
One particularly unique moment came from a Canadian friend of the club who, after visiting, loved Gosford Water Polo so much that he got a tattoo of the club’s Lobster mascot—now that's a true testament to the club’s welcoming and passionate environment!
You can follow Gosford Water Polo Club via their socials and at their website below:
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Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club: Making a Mark in Their Second Year
For Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club, this year’s Open Country Club Championships was a historic moment—it was the first time they entered a standalone team after previously joining forces with Tamworth.
Key Highlights:
- First Independent Entry: A significant milestone as the club continues its journey of growth.
- Expanding Membership: In just two years, the club has grown from 66 to 78 members, despite the challenges of players moving away for school and university.
- Community Support: Local businesses and the council have been instrumental in helping the club thrive.
Insights from Club President Dean Clarke
Club president Dean Clarke reflected on the motivation behind forming a standalone team: “We wanted to give our players exposure to competitive water polo and bring that experience back home to Narrabri. Raising skill levels and fostering a competitive spirit is crucial for our growth.”
One of the biggest challenges was convincing players to commit to the long trip for the competition. “Travel was a hurdle, but our players gained valuable experience, and that exposure is essential for our development,” Dean added.
He also highlighted how the local community has embraced water polo: “The support from sponsors and the local council has been amazing and the council has been incredibly accommodating, allowing us to use the pool when needed.”
Looking ahead, Narrabri aims to continue its growth, with ongoing efforts to introduce primary school students and football players to the sport through dedicated water polo programs.
Follow the Dolphins via:
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Illawarra Water Polo Club: A Strong Presence in the B Division
Illawarra Water Polo Club’s men’s and women’s teams both reached the B Division final, with the men taking home the gold and the women securing a second consecutive silver medal.
Key Highlights:
- B Division Finalists: The men claimed gold, while the women secured silver for the second year in a row.
- Outstanding Individual Achievements:
- Anton Strokous was named Men’s B Division MVP.
- Emma had an incredible tournament, being recognised for her refereeing accreditation and finishing as the highest goal scorer.
- Consistency in Competition: Illawarra has been a regular participant in the Country Clubs Championships, with more than five recent appearances.
- Coaching Leadership: Brendan Fannin, a newly appointed WPNSW board member, led the men’s team to victory as their coach.
Insights from Illawarra Leadership
President Matt Deloraine emphasised the significance of this success for the club: “We have a diverse mix of players who have come from clubs across NSW. Given our smaller membership base, it’s great to see the quality of players we have performing at this level.”
Men’s captain Daniel Barnes reflected on their victory: “Throughout the tournament, we adapted to each other’s playing styles. By the final, our teamwork and communication were at their best. Anton was outstanding with his shooting, and our goalkeeper, John, made some spectacular saves.”
Secretary Chelsea Flood spoke about Emma’s standout performance: “Emma is a powerhouse in the water, with elite-level experience and a passion for sharing her knowledge. She has been instrumental in developing our players, both at the championship and in our regular competitions.”
Chelsea also highlighted the impact of Brendan Fannin’s appointment to the WPNSW board: “Brendan’s leadership, business insight, and understanding of regional water polo will help grow the sport in our area. His involvement will help strengthen the connection between regional clubs and WPNSW.”
Looking ahead, Illawarra remains focused on player development. “Investing in our newer and junior players is key,” Chelsea added. “Country Clubs provides the perfect environment for those wanting to step up from social competition but who aren’t quite ready for Sydney Metro play.”
Follow Illawarra WPC here:
A Heartfelt Thank You from Water Polo NSW
Water Polo NSW extends a sincere thank you to all the clubs that participated in this year’s Open Country Championships. The competition featured an incredible lineup of teams:
Australian National University Swimming & Water Polo Club
Central Newcastle Water Polo
Easts Water Polo Club
Far North Coast Water Polo
Gosford Water Polo Club
Illawarra Water Polo Club
Lake Macquarie Dolphins
Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club
Newcastle University Water Polo Club
Sharks Water Polo Club
Tamworth Water Polo Club
The Entrance Water Polo Club
Woy Woy Water Polo Club
Wyong Water Polo Club
Your commitment, sportsmanship, and determination made this championship an exciting and memorable event.
More than just a competition, the Open Country Championships provide an opportunity for clubs to come together, exchange knowledge, and inspire future generations of water polo players. Whether it was the camaraderie between teams, outstanding individual performances, or the enthusiastic support from local communities, this championship reinforced that regional water polo is thriving and continues to grow.
NSW Open Country Championships Results
Congratulations to all medallists on their remarkable efforts!
Division 1 Men's
🥇 Gosford Water Polo Club
🥈 Lake Macquarie Dolphins
🥉 Central Newcastle Blue
Division 1 Women's
🥇 Gosford Water Polo Club
🥈 Sharks Water Polo Club
🥉 Woy Woy Wombats
Division 2 Men's
🥇 Illawarra Water Polo Club
🥈 Newcastle University Water Polo
🥉 Easts Water Polo Club
Division 2 Women's
🥇 Central Newcastle Blue
🥈 Illawarra Water Polo Club
🥉 Gosford Water Polo Club
The Bigger Picture: Strengthening Regional Water Polo
The Open Country Club Championships once again demonstrated the depth of talent and the passion for water polo in regional NSW. Clubs like Gosford Water Polo Club, Narrabri Dolphins Water polo Club, and Illawarra Water Polo Club play a crucial role in growing the sport beyond metropolitan areas, providing opportunities for athletes to develop, compete, and thrive at a high level.
As these clubs continue to expand their programs, support referees, and nurture young talent, the future of country water polo in New South Wales looks brighter than ever. Congratulations to all participants, and we look forward to seeing even more regional clubs rise to the challenge in the next edition of the Country Club Championships!
