State water polo

BALLARAT Water Polo Club members are having a successful 2024.

Junior player Eleanor Justin has been selected for the 17 and Under Water Polo Victoria state squad.

“We don’t have a lot of young members, so it’s great that she’s been able to do it,” said Ballarat Water Polo president Melinda Childs.

“It’s great that the young people come and play, that they’re enthusiastic about the sport, and that they’re not put off by the fact they’re with a pack of senior players.

“There are a couple of 16 year olds getting involved which is good to see. It’s slowly growing in that respect.”

At the conclusion of their summer season, Ballarat Water Polo club won the Monday night Geelong mixed water polo competition with a score of 7-5 over opponents Geelong Sharks.

The Sharks led 3-1 at the end of the first quarter, but the Ballarat Barbarians surged to tie 5-5 just before the fourth quarter began.

“Last winter we were runners up and last season we won the summer comp which was really good,” Ms Childs said.

“We’ve had a few strong players come and start with us in the last couple of years and because we’ve all been playing together for a few years, we’ve got a really good rapport in the pool all together and understand each other’s game.

“It’s taken us a while to play as a team but I think we’re playing really well as one.”

Six or seven teams are part of the mixed comp, and sometimes players from Geelong will play with Ballarat to boost their numbers.

With the 2024 Paris Olympics approaching, Ballarat Water Polo members will host a come-and-try event to coincide with that.

“Around October, we’re planning on hosting a water polo gala with clubs from around the state to come to Ballarat for a gala day,” Ms Childs said.

“But we’re also a winter sport now. You can play water polo all year round because it’s warm in the pool.”