Making a splash with future stars
THE next Olympic water polo star could be in the Far North and Water Polo Queensland wants to help them.
Aussie Stingers captain Bronwen Knox was in Cairns last month to kick things off with a come and try day, the first of many as the organisation eyes more community activities and school visits.
But you don’t have to be a champion swimmer to make a splash in sport according to the Brisbane-based 31-year-old.
“I’ve seen players who aren’t great swimmers go on to be the best in world and go to the Olympics,” Knox said.
“Rhys Howden was one of the slowest swimmers I’ve ever seen and he was captain of the Aussie Sharks in London.
“Ash Southern, she’s from Cardwell, and she wasn’t great either and she’s one of the fastest shooters in the world.”
She said Water Polo ASH Southern’s claim to fame is the first Olympian to hail from Cardwell. She credits mum and dad’s eagerness to help her succeed in the sport by throwing a net in the backyard pool. Southern had to do plenty of miles then and fortunately her high school at Ingham had a ‘flippaball’ program. She was part of the winning team at a school carnival in Queensland supporting a good network of volunteer coaches would help upskill potential future stars of the game, no matter their base.
“It’s pretty much for anyone who’s wanting to play a team sport, no matter your swimming ability or skill level, there’s always room for someone to learn,” said Knox, who Townsville and her star shone even brighter from there and by 19 she was the youngest player in the London 2012 squad. Known for her fast shot, Southern helped the Stingers win a bronze medal. The 24-year-old attended the Rio 2016 Games last year, scoring 10 goals. The Aussies were bundled out in the quarterfinal, losing a penalty shootout to Hungary. had surgery on her collarbone in April.
Water Polo Queensland CEO Rob Donoghue said now into the second year of a threeyear plan, it was time to “reinvigorate water polo in regional areas”.
He said areas like the Far North were relatively untapped and represented room to grow participation and hopefully find more Olympic stars to shoot for gold.
“We’re sort of 12 months into our three-year plan and a big part of our vision is taking the sport out to more communities across Queensland,” Donoghue said.
“We’ve identified a few locals up there who have a back- ground in water polo who are really keen to get things started and Bronwen Knox was up there a couple of weeks ago for a come and try day to get things started.”
He said the sport brought together our affinity with the water and team sport, while also being physically tough.
“I think in the first instance it’s a quintessential Queensland sport and we love being in the water, everyone tends to learn to swim up here and we love our ball sports and I guess it brings everything great about Queensland in one sport,” Donoghue said,
“From a physical standpoint it’s probably one of the most demanding sports, with the need to tread water, swim up and down a pool and you have that cross-training aspect.”
To get involved email admin@waterpoloqld.com.au or call 3367 1661. and overtraining injuries.
In addition, water accommodates resistance. The harder you push or pull through water the more resistance you experience, resulting in higher heart rates and forcing athletes to work muscles eccentrically and concentrically.
Deep water is best for cardiovascular training, while chest-deep water benefits interval or power workouts.
With thought and proper preparation, almost any exercise done on land can be done in the water.
Bungee cords or resistance bands, rubber medicine balls, buoyancy vests and belts, rubber dumbbells, sit-up mats and anything else you might use in the gym that won’t rust is suitable to use in the session.
Not just a rehab tool, innovative coaches understand the benefit of water workouts for strength, endurance and in achieving goals in the summer heat. David Arnfield is a fitness coach and director of Queensland Elite Sports Training.