Boost for water polo

FOUR-TIME Olympian Thomas Whalan believes a 3000-strong invasion of Brisbane by the country’s best young water polo players will be a game-changer for the sport.

The inaugural Australian Youth Water Polo Championships for January 7-26 next year will unite six national age club championships into a single festival.

“There are so many positives in bringing together the young athletes as well as upskilling coaches, referees and officials in such a way to promote pathways to the Olympics,” said Whalan, the Water Polo Australia president.

“(There will be) seven or eight pools across Brisbane in use for 190 teams from under-12s to under-18s.”