Water Polo NSW celebrates the performances from both its men's and women's country representative teams at the recent Australian Country Championships. The men's team claimed gold in a close final against ACT, while the women's team secured silver after a competitive grand final penalty shootout.

Men's Team Claims Gold in Dramatic Fashion

The NSW Country men's team performed strongly throughout the tournament, winning all their round-robin matches before securing gold with a 9-8 victory over ACT in the grand final. Head coach Jared Tobin guided the team to victory, supported by assistant coach Andrea Hodges.

"We started the tournament strongly but knew we needed to deliver consistent performances across all four quarters if we were serious about contending for the title," Tobin reflected. "Watching the team grow from game to game and make continual improvements was really rewarding."

The semi-final saw NSW produce a commanding 19-6 victory over Victoria, with Jared highlighting the team's focus and determination. "Everything came together during our dominant semi-final. The team's focus, determination and execution were exactly where they needed to be."

That momentum carried into the final against ACT. "Knowing how strong and relentless ACT are, it was really special to see the team stay composed, believe in each other, and grind out such a close, hard-fought match," Jared explained.

The winning moment came from veteran player Clint Bryant, who scored a crucial lob. "We must've attempted 15 lobs during the tournament, and none went in — until number 15, which couldn't have come at a better time!" Jared shared with a smile.

Four NSW players — Lachlan Walter, Hunter Wright, Luke Stimson and Andrew Dunford — were named in the Tournament 7, recognition their coach felt was well-deserved.

Women's Team Shows Heart in Grand Final Heartbreaker

The NSW Country women's team displayed resilience throughout the tournament, finishing with a silver medal after a penalty shootout grand final loss to Queensland. Head coach Shannon Jones and assistant coach Clint Bryant guided a squad that overcame challenges with determination and spirit.

"Although we didn't get the result we were hoping for, Clint and I are very proud of the performance the girls displayed over the course of the tournament," Jones said. "We didn't have the best preparation, with unforeseen circumstances forcing a few players to drop out last minute, but the resilience and determination the girls showed while playing with minimal subs is something that they should all be very proud of."

The team improved with each match, creating a cohesive unit despite limited preparation time. Shannon noted: "It's always a challenge coming together and playing with people you aren't used to playing with, but the girls took it in their stride and worked hard to create a cohesive team environment."

In the grand final, the team fought hard. "The girls left everything in the pool in the grand final, pushing a strong Queensland team to penalties, but it just wasn't our year," Shannon reflected.

Assistant coach Clint Bryant, who both played for the men's team and assisted with coaching the women, praised the squad's effort: "The girls did amazing with only 11 players on their roster. All the girls played a lot of minutes and saved their best game till last. Coming from behind to draw with a very strong QLD side."

Clint highlighted the dramatic finish: "The girls had the last attack of the game. But were unfortunate their last shot went wide. They went down by 1 in a very intense penalty shoot-out. Our goalkeeper Brielle made two awesome saves. But it wasn't quite enough with the QLD keeper saving 3."

Despite the narrow loss, two NSW players — Dayna Garside and Lexie Burdack — were selected for the Tournament 7, recognising their performances among the top seven players in the women's competition.

He also praised individual performances: "Our standout player in attack was Lexie with some great goals. Jackie and Emma our 2 centre forwards, worked hard and really kept us in the game in attack. Gracie and Amalia did some great work off the ball earning a number of kick outs. Dayna, Rosie and Belle were rock solid in defence and scored some great goals in attack. Makala did some great passes and work up the left handers side of the pool."

Mutual Support Defines NSW Spirit

Assistant coach Andrea Hodges captured the true spirit of the NSW teams: "The sportsmanship displayed between both teams epitomises what water polo is truly about. When the men needed support the most, the women's team were there cheering them on from the sidelines, and in return, the men's team made sure to lift their spirits whenever possible. This mutual support is what makes NSW country water polo so special; it's all about the people and the encouragement we offer each other."

Andrea praised both teams' achievements: "I am incredibly proud of both the men's and women's teams that represented NSW in the tournament. It was heartwarming to see teams from all states come together to support one another."

This sportsmanship extended beyond NSW's own teams. After the women's penalty shootout loss, team leaders demonstrated good sportsmanship. "A standout moment for me was after our penalty shootouts in the grand final when one of our female leaders suggested we let Queensland have their moment and celebrate their performance. We clapped for them, acknowledging their efforts and showing respect for their achievements," Andrea shared.

Looking ahead, Andrea expressed excitement about the future: "What excites me the most about this team is the knowledge that the comeback will be even stronger next year. The girls got a taste of being so close to the title, and their desire to reclaim it, just like the men did, is palpable. This shared passion and commitment to each other, and the sport truly exemplifies the spirit of water polo."

Coaches Bring Wealth of Experience

The success of both teams reflects the quality of coaching leadership:

Jared Tobin (Men's Head Coach) brings extensive playing experience, having represented NSW Country for nearly 20 years. "As someone who played for this team for nearly 20 years, it's honestly a privilege to now coach the NSW Country Men's side and help develop the next wave of talent coming through," Jared expressed. "My time as a player brought me so many opportunities and lifelong friendships, both in Australia and overseas, and I'm incredibly grateful for that experience."

Jared's commitment to country water polo runs deep. "When I stopped playing a few years ago, it was disappointing to see NSW Country Men's absent from the championships — the first time in a long while. That was a turning point for me. I reached out to explore coaching and started reconnecting with players to rebuild the team."

Andrea Hodges (Men's Assistant Coach) has over eight years of coaching experience. "After taking a break from water polo due to family and work commitments, I felt immense pride in being able to assist Jared with coaching this group of talented men and positive role models," Andrea shared. She brings valuable experience from successfully leading Lake Macquarie teams to multiple championships.

Andrea reflected on her coaching approach: "As part of a small community, it's essential that every player feels valued and understands their unique contributions to the team. While winning gold is undoubtedly a significant achievement, I was especially pleased to see players rekindle their love for the game."

Shannon Jones (Women's Head Coach) has a proven track record, having led NSW Country Women to gold in 2022. "It's always a great experience coaching these girls," Shannon said. Her recent roles include head coach of Hunter Hurricanes Senior Women (2022-2024) and various positions within the WPNSW Junior State/Development Program.

Clint Bryant (Women's Assistant Coach) has over 20 years of coaching experience. "I've been involved in country Water Polo on and off for over 20 years. Now it's my time to give back as a coach," Clint explained. "This year I was lucky to be able to play on the men's side and be assist coach for Shannon on the women's side."

Tournament Results

The NSW teams demonstrated their strength across the four-day tournament:

Men's Results:

• Round Robin: Defeated ACT 11-6, ADF 20-8, QLD Maroon 10-5, QLD Gold 17-5, VIC 16-6
• Semi-final: Defeated VIC 19-6
• Grand Final: Defeated ACT 9-8 (GOLD MEDAL)

Women's Results:

• Round Robin: Defeated VIC 17-2, ACT 18-6, WA 22-2, QLD Gold 13-1, TAS 20-6; Lost to QLD Maroon 7-8
• Major Semi-final: Defeated ACT 13-4
• Grand Final: Lost to QLD Maroon 11-12 (penalty shootout) (SILVER MEDAL)

Looking Forward

Both coaches expressed optimism about the future. Jared emphasised his commitment to developing country water polo: "My goal now is to ensure the next generation not only gets those same opportunities but also understands the pride and passion behind wearing blue and representing their state, their region, their club."

Reflecting on the impact of the tournament, Jared noted: "Winning gold is, of course, a huge achievement. But I was also really pleased to see some players rediscover their love for the game. Being in a positive team environment for a week representing your state can do wonders — and hearing conversations about getting back into club training, or aiming for higher levels, is incredibly rewarding."

Shannon echoed this sentiment: "I am confident that the NSW Country teams will come back even bigger and better next year."

Andrea emphasised the lasting impact of team culture: "Hearing their personal stories and experiences reminded me of the importance of this environment for their mental well-being. Their sportsmanship, dedication, and accountability were evident. Experiencing a positive team atmosphere for a week while representing our state can have a lasting impact. It was incredibly rewarding to hear players express their intentions to return to club training or strive for higher levels."

All coaches expressed gratitude to Queensland Water Polo for hosting the event. "I'd like to thank Water Polo Queensland for putting on an amazing event this year, and continuing to give country players the opportunity to showcase their skills on the national stage," Shannon said. Jared added: "I also want to echo Shannon's thanks to QLD Water Polo, especially Teish and Rick, for running such a smooth, well-organised tournament. Managing an event of that scale — with teams from across the country — is no small feat, and they did a fantastic job."

Looking ahead, Andrea concluded: "I believe we are all looking forward to next year, where I'm confident Teish and Rick will deliver an even bigger and better event."

The championships highlighted the strength of country water polo in NSW, with both teams demonstrating skill, determination, and good sportsmanship throughout the tournament. With dedicated coaching leadership and committed players, NSW Country water polo continues to provide valuable opportunities for regional athletes.

Interested in country water polo?

Contact your local WPNSW affiliated club to learn more about opportunities in your region. Visit https://www.waterpolonsw.org.au/play/find-a-club- to find a club near you.