Hobart’s making a splash

TASMANIAN teens Anne Poynter (pictured left) and Ben Brocklesby (right) will make waves this week at the Under-14 Water Polo Interstate Championships to be held for the first time in Hobart. Anne and Ben are the state captains of the girls’ and boys’ teams. “There are probably lots of tough sides out there,” Anne said.

ANNE Poynter and Ben Brocklesby will be whipping their teams into gear from tomorrow when the Under-14 Water Polo Interstate Championships come to town.

Poynter and Brocklesby found out they would be the captains of the state teams earlier this week, and said they are looking forward to meeting fellow players from around the country.

For the girls it’s not so much about winning, Poynter saying they would rather take advantage of the competition to become a stronger team.

“There are probably lots of tough sides out there but as a team we’ll probably get a lot stronger and we’ll succeed in our school club competitions later in the year,” she said.

But Brocklesby thinks this is the chance for his team to show their true potential.

“Individually we’re not so good, but since we’re a team we’ll probably go quite well compared to the others,” he said.

Having started playing the water sport three to four years ago, Poynter and Brocklesby feel they are ready to captain their teams. Both have been part of the Water Polo Tasmania Academy Swim Program for 18 months.

Poynter, who is a member of the elite performance group, said she loves to get better and better.

“I like the training and the improving and constantly getting fitter as well as meeting people from different schools around southern Tasmania,” she said.

Brocklesby said he loves the sport for its social aspect.

“I like the training, but I like the social side of it, you meet a lot of nice people out there and it’s just a fun game to play,” he said.

The Under-14 Water Polo Interstate Championships, hosted for the first time by Hobart, will be held at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre from July 6-12.