Team Queensland Announced for Upcoming New Zealand Tour

Water Polo Queensland is delighted to announce the 13 State Teams who will represent Queensland at the upcoming 2018 Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival, 7-17 July 2018.

More than 160 athletes will represent Team Queensland at the largest water polo festival in the Southern Hemisphere. They will compete across four different age groups, 14U, 16U, 18U and 20U at six pools in Auckland.

“We had a really successful State Team tour in 2017 and this year we are looking to build upon that success with Team Queensland’s ‘Pan Pacs’ campaign. Selecting individuals for the State Teams has been a really difficult process for the Selection Panel with so many great performances throughout the season.

It’s going to be a fantastic experience, not only are the athletes representing Queensland, they are competing against both State and International teams. All of this while traveling as a part of a greater Queensland team who will support each other every step of the way. We are training and preparing to give ourselves the best chance of bringing home gold.” said three-time Olympian, Mel Rippon, Head of Participation and Pathways for Water Polo Queensland.

164 teams from South Africa, Canada, USA, New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand will be competing in the two-week tournament. The international teams provide Team Queensland with a fantastic opportunity to compete against different teams and playing styles, as well as against traditional rivals, New South Wales.

In preparation for the tournament, the teams will have training camps with teams from North Harbour (NZ) and South Australia. The athletes will also attend a player presentation night and hear from Queensland sporting icons about what it means to play for their State.

“We’re proud to announce our State Teams today, it’s been a thorough process with the selection panel tracking talent right across Queensland to select these 13 teams that will represent Queensland in Auckland. We’re delighted that so many athletes will get the opportunity to tour New Zealand, represent their State and compete at such a fantastic tournament.” added Robert Donaghue, Water Polo Queensland Chief Executive Officer.

The 13 State Teams are as follows: