Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Water Polo Star In Canberra For Nationals

Mackay school student Hannah Nicolas has been scoring goals in her young water polo career this year.

The year 12 Whitsunday Anglican School student is currently in Canberra representing the Queensland Country Gold Team at the Australian Open Water Polo Championships.

She also competed in the Queensland State Water Polo Competition in Brisbane over Easter.

Hannah started playing water polo three years ago at the age of 14.

She joined the Mackay Water Polo Club which plays and trains at Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex.

She says although the water polo community in Mackay isn’t the biggest, it’s full of passionate and inspiring people from whom she is constantly learning.

“A lot of the people who play for Mackay Water Polo Club are very good and have a lot of experience up their sleeves,” she said.

Hannah has made many different representative teams which is a process of putting oneself out there, entering a draft, and trialling.

She says playing water polo at such a high level is an honour and she enjoys meeting new people and gaining new experiences.

“It’s good news when I find out I’ve made the team,” she said.

“I like to gain that experience.

“It’s nice to go down south and play and be in a team where you’re with people who are stronger than you so they push you to be better.”

Hannah hopes to move to Brisbane next year for university and will join a water polo club to develop her skills and take her game to the next level

“I definitely want to pursue it,” she said.

She says water polo has helped her with organisation, confidence, meeting new people, and putting herself out there, all skills which will make her transition to Brisbane easier.

“Being able to play in a team with girls I’ve never met before has really helped with my confidence and being able to put myself out there.”

Whitsunday Anglican School student Hannah Nicolas is in Canberra this week to compete in the Australian Open Water Polo Championships. Photo: Sam Gillespie

Hannah intends to continue her water polo career when she moves to Brisbane next year. Photo: supplied

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