2025 Senior Country Championships

Queensland Senior Country Championships Wrap Up After Thrilling Weekend in Mackay

The 2025 Queensland Senior Country Championships held from the 14th - 16th February has come to an exciting close in Mackay, with regional teams from across the state delivering high-intensity performances across three days of competition. With Queensland’s top regional players battling for gold, the tournament showcased the best of country water polo.

Despite North Queensland facing severe floods in the lead-up to the event, teams overcame travel disruptions and logistical challenges to ensure the championships went ahead. Water Polo Queensland, with the support of Mackay, successfully staged a tournament that highlighted the resilience and talent of regional athletes.

Final Standings

Day 2 of the Queensland Senior Country Championships delivered high-intensity action as teams battled for a coveted spot in the gold medal matches. With everything on the line, both the men’s and women’s semi-finals produced edge-of-your-seat moments, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of Queensland’s regional athletes.

In the women’s semi-final, Cairns overcame a determined Sunshine Coast side in a tightly contested match to secure their place in the final. Meanwhile, Gold Coast Blue continued their dominant run, booking their spot in the championship match with a commanding performance.

The men’s semi-finals were equally intense, with Sunshine Coast edging past Cairns in a nail-biting showdown, setting up a highly anticipated gold medal clash against Gold Coast Blue.

The grand finals lived up to expectations, delivering fast-paced, high-quality water polo. In the women’s final, Gold Coast Blue showcased their class and composure, claiming the championship title in a thrilling contest against Cairns, who secured the silver medal. Gold Coast Gold put in a strong performance to take bronze.

In the men’s final, Sunshine Coast rose to the occasion, outlasting a formidable Gold Coast Blue side to take home the championship trophy. Gold Coast Gold rounded out the podium with a hard-fought bronze-medal finish.

The 2025 Queensland Senior Country Championships once again proved to be a showcase of elite regional water polo, setting the stage for the next wave of Queensland representatives at the Australian Country Championships.

Women’s Division:

🥇 Gold Coast Blue
🥈 Cairns
🥉 Gold Coast Gold
4th Sunshine Coast
5th Townsville

🏆 MVP – Zoe Negline (Gold Coast)
🏆 MVG – Ayumi Watanabe (Cairns)

Men’s Division:
🥇 Sunshine Coast
🥈 Gold Coast Blue
🥉 Gold Coast Gold
4th Cairns
5th Mackay
6th Rockhampton
7th Townsville

🏆 MVP – Joshua Eyles (Sunshine Coast)
🏆 MVG – Thomas Romeijn (Gold Coast)

A Tournament to Remember

Over the course of the 3 day tournament, Mackay played host to over 40 games, featuring dramatic finishes, stunning goals, and incredible teamwork. The energy poolside was electric, with supporters rallying behind their teams and creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Adding to the excitement, the tournament also served as a selection platform for the Queensland representative teams set to compete at the 2025 Australian Country Championships in May. With standout performances across the board, selectors will have tough decisions ahead as they assemble a squad to take on the nation’s best.

A Huge Thank You to Mackay

This year’s Championships wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the Mackay Regional Council. Deputy Mayor Karen May officially opened the tournament and expressed her enthusiasm for the event:

“Mackay is pleased to welcome all the Representative Association teams from around Queensland, from Cairns to Gold Coast. This event will bring around $600,000 of economic investment to the Mackay region. We’re proud to build a strong relationship with Water Polo Queensland and continue bringing State and National water polo tournaments to Mackay.”

WPQ extends its sincere gratitude to Mackay Regional Council, Mayor Greg Williamson, Deputy Mayor Karen May, and Senior Economic Development Officer Gabrielle Dicarlantonio for their commitment to making this event a success. Their generous $10,000 contribution ensured the Championships had access to top-class facilities, logistics, and equipment, allowing the athletes to perform at their best.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With another thrilling tournament in the books, attention now turns to next year’s event. The Queensland Senior Country Championships continue to grow, and after the success of the 2025 edition, anticipation is already building for what’s next.

For now, though, congratulations to all the teams, players, and officials who made this year’s tournament one to remember. Queensland’s country water polo scene is thriving, and we can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store!