In a sport that is not as lucrative as some of our country’s higher profile sports, the 28-year-old Sydney-sider must fit his water polo career around his full-time employment with legal group, Kemp Strang.
‘My days start off at 5.30am with a team training session and from there I head straight into work.
My second session begins at 6.30pm and I’m also finishing off my Diploma of Accounting so I try to do some study at night,’ Woods said.
Woods’ hectic schedule is eased by the support of his firm who grant the strong centre back time-off for training sessions, camps and competitions without requiring him to take accrued leave.
‘Kemp Strang are fantastic in the way they accommodate the demands water polo places on my schedule.
Their support enables me to put everything I can into preparing for the upcoming Champs and to pursue selection for Beijing.’
Since he began playing at age 12, Woods has also received significant support from his talented family who understand first-hand the difficulty of juggling work with international competition.
Woods’ father, David, is a three-time Olympian (1964, 1968 and 1972) and coached the Australian Women’s team from 1991 – 1994.
Woods’ sister Taryn and cousin Bronwyn Smith (nee Mayer) won Gold at the Sydney 2000 Games and are 1995 World Cup water polo champions.
They both also played in the 2003 World Championships.
An Olympian in 2000 and 2004, Woods has experience on his side having also competed in the 1998, 2001 and 2003 FINA World Championships as well as the 2002 Commonwealth Championships.
While his sights are firmly set on achieving a top four finish in next month’s Championships, Woods is also looking ahead to make his third Olympic assault by vying for a place on the Beijing 2008 team.
All water polo fans keen to see Woods and the men’s team in action are encouraged to come along to the 12th FINA World Championships running from March 17 – April 1, 2007 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Please visit http://www.melbourne2007.com.au for program and ticketing information.

For more information, or to arrange an interview please contact James Ward on 0409 458 661 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gavin Woods' profile can be seen here http://www.australianwaterpolo.com.au/content/view/21/9/ 

Australian Water Polo Inc is proudly supported by the Australian Sports Commission, the Stanwell Corporation, Turbo, Qantas and Mikasa.