2011 14 & Under National Club Championships
Click here to download the final placings and award winners
14 & Under Champs, Day 5: Cronulla claim boy's and girl's gold
Sydney club Cronulla have repeated their 2008 success by winning the boy’s and girl’s double at the 14 & Under National Club Championships in Canberra.
In two exciting finals, the Cronulla Blue boys over game a tough KFC Breakers side 9-4, while the girls defeated Melville 8-4.
The win was a family affair with husband and wife team Mark and Sandra Holden, coaching the successful teams which included their children, Rhys and Kiara. For Sandra, the win was the perfect end to months of training.
“The girls have trained hard all year and they absolutely deserved the result they got,” Sandra said.
“They work hard as a team, and that’s the key to the win.”
For both coaches, to take home the double is special.
“It is fantastic to take both championships, both teams work hard and support each other in and out of the pool,” Mark said.
“Both teams have big hearts, and they always play with passion,” Sandra added.
For girl’s captain Samantha Mitchell, winning the gold wasn’t her only achievement of the day, she also took home the Player of the Series award. But for Sam, the award wouldn’t have even been possible if not for her team.
“It is amazing, to win the championships and then Player of the Series,” Mitchell said.
“But without my team I couldn’t have got either. We played amazing today and were rewarded with the gold.”
Mitchell’s teammate Maddison Nusdorfer was awarded the Goal Keeper of the Series in the girl’s tournament while Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers player Kristy Donkin was the Leading Goal Scorer.
In the bronze medal games, the Drummoyne girls easily accounted for Rivercity 7-2. While in the boy’s, 2010 champions Melville and their cross town rivals the City Beach Bears met in an extra time matchup, with Melville eventual victors 8-7.
Melville goalie Lucas Pensini had his hard work rewarded by being named Goal Keeper of the Series,
“I am astounded by being awarded goalie of the series. It was a great tournament, and this award is just amazing,” Pensini said.
“I can’t wait to head to Under 16s next year.”
Joining Pensini in earning individual honours was Drummoyne Devils’ Rowan Farrell who won Player of the Series and Leading Goal Scorer Jake Robinson from the Hunter Hurricanes.
The 2012 14 & Under Club Championships will be held in Perth.
14 & Under National Club Championships Honour Roll
Boy’s:
Gold – Cronulla Sharks Blue; Silver – KFC Breakers; Bronze – Melville Sharks
Player of the Series - Rowan Farrell (Drummoyne Devils); Leading Goal Scorer – Jake Robinson (Hunter Hurricanes); Goal Keeper - Lucas Pensini (Melville Sharks)
Girl’s:
Gold – Cronulla Sharks Blue; Silver – Melville Sharks; Bronze – Drummoyne Devils
Player of the Series - Samantha Mitchell (Cronulla Blue); Leading Goal Scorer – Kristy Donkin (Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers); Goal Keeper - Maddison Nusdorfer (Cronulla Blue)
14 & Under Champs, Day 4: Semi finals decided
Sydney club Cronulla will get the chance to go for the double with both the girl’s and the boy’s Cronulla Blue sides reaching the gold medal games at the 14 & Under National Championships.
It will be a State of Origin battle in the boy’s final as Cronulla (NSW) take on Daniel Marsden’s KFC Breakers (QLD). In their semi-final Cronulla Blue overcame the City Beach Bears in golden point extra time winning 6-5.
Winning goal scorer Rhys Holden was well aware of the intensity of the game.
“It was an amazing game, the team worked hard, it was tough, but the result was awesome,” young Holden said.
But Cronulla Blue coach Mark Holden knows that the final against the KFC Breakers will be tough.
“It is always a tough game going up against Daniel’s Breakers and I expect the final to be a tightly fought contest,” coach Holden said.
“But we were fortunate to play them in the round games, so we do already have an idea of how they will play.”
The Breakers won that game 5-4 in one of the closest matches of the tournament.
In the first boy’s semi final, the KFC Breakers defeated defending champions Melville in the final quarter 5-4.
Earlier in the day in the girl’s draw Cronulla Blue defeated cross town rivals Drummoyne 6-4 in the semi-final, despite a last quarter comeback by the Drummoyne side.
Cronulla Blue (NSW) will face the Melville sharks (WA) in a battle of East versus West. For coach Sandra Holden, the semi-final provided her team with a great preparation leading into the final game.
“Drummoyne gave us a good and challenging game, they are always a tough side. But we kept driving and moving forward which helped us win,” she said.
Coach Holden is looking forward to the final, and feels the girls are ready.
“If we play our best and keep moving like we did against Drummoyne there is no reason why we can’t win.”
Captain Samantha Mitchell sees teamwork as the key to success,
“If we keep our determination and perseverance as a team I think we will do well in the final. We work together well as a team, because we are the ‘nulla girls!,” Mitchell said.
In the first semi-final, Melville easily accounted for Rivercity 7-2, as the Western Australians demonstrated their skill and experience in high pressure games.
14 & Under Champs, Day 3: Playoffs begin
Day three of the 14 & Under Championships saw the start of the play offs. The teams finishing top of their groups in the boy’s draw had a rest day, but the girls had it all to play for as they hit the water in Tuggeranong.
The top finishers in each pool all claimed easy victories into the quarterfinals. Despite Drummoyne’s easy 17-1 win over a young City Beach Reds side, their coach Jenny MacGregor was realistic about their chances against the more experienced City Beach Bears side.
“The win was a good team effort. They have improved after the first game and continue to improve. The next match will be a difficult game against a strong team. It is proving to be a hard slog to get to the finals,” MacGregor said.
In the close quarterfinal, Drummoyne proved they had the strength and skill to follow through, beating City Beach Bears 6-5.
In other games, UNSW Killer Wales claimed a 6-4 victory over rivals the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers in their first playoff game.
For coach Brendan Benischke the win provided some revenge after the team’s defeat in the bronze medal game at this year’s state Under 14 championships,
“The game was an important win for the team. SNB beat us at the bronze medal game at the state U14 championships so it was good to take this win from them,” Benischke said.
Coach Benischke highlighted the good rivalry between the two clubs, and how close games are between them.
“The games between the two teams are always close with only on one or two points between them, and this game was no different.”
Number 10, Kara Harris enjoys the pressure of the playoff games.
“Our team stepped up a lot. Both teams played really well and because it was an exciting and high pressure game the adrenalin really got pumping,” she said.
The win against Sydney Northern Beaches saw them face Rivercity in the quarterfinals. In the tightly fought contest, Rivercity came up eventual winners in golden goal extra time, 6-5.
Rivercity will now face Melville in the first semi final, while Drummoyne will take on Cronulla Blue.
In the boy’s draw, group winners Melville Sharks, City Beach Bears, KFC Breakers and Drummoyne Red will take to the pool first thing Monday morning for the quarterfinals with the semi-finals being played in the afternoon.
14 & Under Champs, Day 2: Second generation players take to the water
The 2011 14 & Under National Water Polo Championships are seeing a dawn of a new era in Australian Water Polo with the sons of two-time Olympian Daniel Marsden (Barcelona 1992, Sydney 2000) taking to the water for the KFC Breakers.
Young Keenan and Mitch Marsden have big shoes to fill with Dan as their father and coach, but at these championships it is their chance to shine.
The KFC Breakers youngsters are competing at their second 14 & Under National Championships.
When asked what it is like to have their father as a coach, Mitch said,
‘It is pretty good, he is not as threatening as some other coaches, and it is easy to learn from him’.
Although, Keenan added,
‘Dad knows all our secrets, he knows our strengths and weaknesses. When we do something wrong, he will remind us about it all the time. But it is only to make us better.’
Dan says he enjoys coaching his sons,
‘They know there is a distinction between coach and dad. They are good kids and they love their polo. My approach to coaching is pretty reserved, they know when they do something wrong at training and in games. We talk about it afterwards and they will work to get better.’
As for their chances this year, they think they are in with a shot.
‘We have a good experienced team this year, and with dad’s experience we have learnt some great skills,’ said Mitch.
‘If they continue to play well and work hard in defence we have every chance,’ Dan said. ‘But the talent here is exceptional and there are some tough teams, but all in all the championships are a great experience.’
As for the future, the boys know which direction they are heading in.
‘We want to be like dad, and go to the Olympics,’ they both said.
In the girl’s draw, Western Australia’s Dolphins White had a huge 21-0 win over Adelaide United in their morning game at Tuggeranong Pool.
Dolphin’s coach Mark Entwhistle, was happy with the win, especially after yesterday’s defeat to Ovens & Murray.
‘This was a good win as the team has been having trouble with their shooting lately and it clicked in this game. Our defence has been strong, but we have been rusty in attack. It all came together in this game.’
Captain Clara Lagdon thought the win would help spur the team on into the play offs.
‘Everyone played well and the win was good for the team. We have been down a bit until now, so it was a very beneficial win for us.’
Also in the girl’s draw, Rivercity are proving to be formidable opponents going undefeated into the playoff games, beating City Beach Reds (14-1), Essendon (14-2), Hunter Hurricanes (6-2), Tasmania (5-0) and Balmain Tigers (19-2) in their round games.
But coach Yvette Farry is remaining cautious.
‘They are a great little team with a fighting spirit. They go in to each and every game with a great attitude and a big heart’.
Day 1: Defending champions stamp their dominance on National Water Polo championships
Defending National 14 & Under Water Polo champions Melville Sharks and Hunter Hurricanes stamped their dominance on the 2011 Championships with wins in their round one games.
Melville Sharks had a convincing 16-1 win over the Balmain Tigers in the first boy’s game of the day.
Melville Sharks coach David Leavy was happy with the way his team played.
“The boys played a good game, with eight individual goals scorers it showed that we have a good amount of skills across the team,” Leavy said.
“Alex Gunnell, Liam McMahon and Jake Leavy are all back at their second championships vying to reclaim their 2010 crown.”
Gunnell was one of the stars of the game and was also happy with the result.
“I think I played well, I took a lot of shots and scored four times so I am pretty proud of myself,” Gunnell said.
McMahon said he expected a tougher hit out first up.
“I was pretty surprised at our win, I expected Balmain to be a lot tougher because they have a good reputation for sending big strong teams to these events,” McMahon said.
Of their chances this year, copach Leavy said “at these events you never know who will turn up. I think we have a reasonable chance of making the top four, and from there you never know what will happen. There are some really good teams here, so it will be a case of seeing what happens on the day.”
For results of the boy's matches throughout the Championships, click here.
The Hunter Hurricane’s girls didn’t have it all their own way, with Essendon and Tasmania proving tough competition in their first two games. But the Hurricanes proved their strength winning 8-5 against Essendon and 4-3 against Tasmania.
Hunter Hurricanes captain, Brianna Watkins said “I think we played quite well today, they were tough teams and as a result close games.”
Of their chances this year, Brianna said “we have three players who were part of last year’s team, so I think we will have a good chance of doing well at these championships.”
Hurricanes coach Ellee Wallington said “the team is pretty new, so it will be hard to defend our crown, but I think we will do well. I think Drummoyne will be the team to beat this year.”
For results of the girl's matches throughout the Championships, click here.
In other games of the day, Drummoyne Black and Melbourne Collegians played out a tough game in the boy’s competition. The goalies showed their strength and determination as both teams took shot after shot, but it was Drummoyne who snuck home with a 2-1 win. And in the girls competition draws were the name of the day, with Dolphins White and Drummoyne playing out a nil-all draw, while the KFC Breakers drew with the Melville Sharks (5-5) and the Brisbane Barracudas drawing with Ovens & Murray (5-5).
Young water polo stars converge on Nation's Capital
Almost 500 budding water polo stars have arrived in Canberra for the 14 and under National Water Polo Club Championships that begin tomorrow.
The Australian Institute of Sport and the Lakeside Leisure Centre at Tuggeranong will play host to 21 girl’s teams and 20 boy’s teams from around the country over the five days of the Easter Break.
Both defending champions – NSW’s Hunter in the girl’s and Perth’s Melville Sharks in the boy’s - have entered teams and are expected to be hard to beat, while some clubs are so strong they have entered two teams in each competition.
Australian Water Polo Incorporated CEO Chris Harrison said the annual competition has a history of combining an elite level competition for youngsters starting out in the sport with a fun and exciting atmosphere.
“The 14 and under tournament is the first time our young players get to play in a national competition and the standard of play is always very high and it is played in the right spirit,” Harrison said.
“I expect this year to be no different and I am looking forward to hearing how much fun all the teams have.
“Many of the current stars from our senior national teams the Sharks and the Stingers came through this pathway and I am sure there will be players in the water in Canberra this Easter that will go on to represent their country at senior level down the track.”
Competition begins tomorrow at 8am with round one round robin games and continues over the weekend before the medal games are decided on Tuesday.
For media enquiries on site please contact: Lara-Kym Lever - 0422 564 358 / act.waterpolo@gmail.com
Sydney (April 10) - The withdrawal of the Sydney University girls' team has forced a re-vamp of the draw.
Click here for the new draw as at 12 April 2011
Sydney (March 28) - Please find the draw to the 14 & Under National Club Championships by clicking here.
Pools 1 & 2 are at the AIS, pool 3 is Tuggeranong.
Download the draw (its an Excel spreadsheet with 3 tabs)
T-Shirt Order Form
Download a T-Shirt order form here
Sydney, (February 17) - Entries have closed with record entries
BOYS | GIRLS |
ACT | ACT |
Adelaide United | Adelaide United |
Alstonville | Balmain Tigers |
Balmain Tigers | Barracudas |
Barracudas | City Beach Bears |
City Beach Bears | City Beach Reds |
City Beach Reds | Cronulla Blue |
Cronulla Blue | Cronulla Black |
Cronulla Black | Drummoyne |
Drummoyne Black | Dolphins White |
Drummoyne Red | Dolphins Blue |
Hunter | Essendon |
KFC Breakers | Hunter |
Melbourne Collegians | KFC Breakers |
Melville Sharks | Melville |
Ovens & Murray | Ovens & Murray |
Sydney Uni | Rivercity |
Tasmania | Stuartholme |
SNB Breakers | Sydney Uni |
UNSW Wests | Tasmania |
SNB Breakers | |
UNSW | |
Playoffs begin |
AGE
The 2011 14 & Under National Club Championships are for athletes born 1997 or later.
DATES
The dates for the 2011 14 & Under Club Championships are 22-26 April 2011 inclusive.
VENUES
The venues will be
AIS Pool
Leverrier Street
Bruce ACT 2616Locate the pool
Tuggeranong Pool
Cnr Anketell St & Athllon Dr
Tuggeranong ACT 2900Locate the pool
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES
Entries are now open and will close with AWPI on or before Friday 11 February 2011.
Your entry must be accompanied by entry fee and is to be submitted on the competition entry form/tax invoice. Payment should be made to AWPI.
The Entry Fee is $300.00 per team (plus GST) payable to AWPI to accompany team entry. A pool entry fee of $20 per player will apply to all team players, which will be payable to the host Association (ACTWPI) at the Managers’ pre tournament meeting.
Entry fee for teams entering after the closing date of 11 February 2011 is $660.
FORMS
Note that all forms can be used electronically, which is the preferred method of receiving forms and information.
Email address - 
peter.hobday@australianwaterpolo.com.au
2011 14 & Under Entry Form
2011 14 & Under Team Nomination Form
2011 14 & Under Team Air Travel Form2011 14 & Under Team Photo Order Form
TEAMS
Teams will be limited to fifteen (15) players per team.
Please note that the names of players (along with their date of birth) in cap number order are required to be submitted to AWPI by Friday 8 April 2011.
PLAYER & TEAM ELIGIBILITY
PLAYER & TEAM ELIGIBILITY
All players must be registered with their State Association and comply with the Date of Birth criterion. Members must be registered with the club prior to the Call for Entries is issued.
METROPOLITAN CLUBS
1. Registered members of a club may form one or more club teams. Members must be registered with the club prior to the Call for Entries is issued,
2. Registered Members of clubs aligned with National League teams may form one or more club teams.
3. Members outside the above may form teams but not participate in finals.
REGIONAL CLUBS/ASSOCIATIONS
1. Registered members of a club may form one or more club teams. Members must be registered with the club/association prior to the Call for Entries is issued,
2. Members of clubs aligned with a regional association may form one or more regional teams.
3. Members outside the above may form teams but not participate in finals.
TWILIGHT CLAUSE STATES (SA, TAS, ACT)
1. Registered members of a club may form one or more club teams. Members must be registered with the club prior to the Call for Entries is issued,
2. Registered Members of clubs aligned with National League teams may form one or more club teams.
3. Members of a State Association may form one or more Association teams.
4. Members outside the above may form teams but not participate in finals.
REFEREES
The name of the referee accompanying the team must be notified at the time of lodgement of the initial Entry Form.
The referee must be independent of the team coach, manager or players.
There will be no centralised accommodation arrangements made for referees, teams must handle this themselves. Entry Forms that do not nominate a referee will not be accepted.
PROGRAM
Games will commence at 8.00 am on the morning of Friday 22 April 2011.
The program and format of the championship will depend upon the number of teams entering.
Every endeavour will be made to maximise the number of games each team will play.
The format will be advised shortly after entries close.
PRE-EVENT MEETINGS
Meetings for the Coaches and Managers, and Referees will be held at 7.00pm on the veneng of Thursday 21 April (venue to be confirmed).
Your cooperation is sought in having a representative at these meetings.
TEAM TRAVEL
Teams may make their own travel arrangements.
AWPI can provide a competitive quote for air travel should teams wish to enquire.
Please contact Julia Annells on 03 6216 8999 and Julia will obtain a quote.
Note that the program will be designed to allow teams to catch evening flights back to their home town on Tuesday 26 April 2011. As a guide, teams should plan to depart around 6.00 pm on the 26 April 2011.
PRESENTATIONS
Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be conducted during the Championships and all teams are asked to attend in full uniform.
COMPETITION RULES
Rules under which the Championships are to be conducted will be advised following the close of entries, as the Rules will be dependent upon the event format.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Championships will be conducted under the Constitution and By-Laws of Australian Water Polo Inc.
Your attention is drawn to the Codes of Conduct contained in Section 7 of the By-Laws for Players, Referees, Officials, Spectators and others.
CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION
In accordance with the Australian Water Polo Inc Member Protection Policy which is binding on ALL members of AWPI, the following commitments must be met by Managers, Coaches and Referees who have contact with children under the age of eighteen years.
Managers, Coaches and Referees visiting Australian Capitol Territory must comply with State Legislative requirements.
DRUG POLICY
Australian Water Polo Incorporated supports the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee, and the Australian Sports Drug Agency in their efforts to eradicate the use of drugs in sport. AWPI has published an anti-doping policy, which will be adhered to for this event.
MEDIA STATEMENTS
States, Clubs and teams shall be permitted to promote the event and or their team within their own state (subject to AWPI approval). However, no competitor, team manager, official or spokesperson for a state or team shall make media statements that could bring the 2011 National Club Championships Boys and Girls 14 Years and Under, its sponsor, or officials into controversy. Such statements shall be deemed to be a breach of AWPI discipline and may be dealt with accordingly.
THEFT
Any person/s found stealing signage or any equipment owned by Australian Water Polo Inc or ACT Water Polo Inc or the game venues or other venues may be immediately reported to police and that person/s will be brought before the AWPI Judiciary. Please note that automatic disqualification of the team from the championship will occur if any member is found guilty of theft.
SPONSORSHIP
Teams may pursue their own sponsorship for the Championships, however, in the event of teams having conflict with event sponsors or AWPI sponsors, the latter will have precedence.
INJURY STATISTICS
Australian Water Polo Inc is vitally interested in collecting injury statistics and, hence, forms will be provided at the briefing meeting to allow feedback of this information to AWPI.
Please be aware that these form require no private information on the player or access to their medical records.
QUERIES
If you have any queries, please contact
Peter Hobday
Operations Manager AWPI
PO Box 60
Lindisfarne TAS 7015
03 62168999
peter.hobday@australianwaterpolo.com.au
