SPORT
Water Polo
in profile
The development of water polo at Guildford Grammar School in 2018 has seen increased performances, student participation
and enthusiasm thanks to a new training schedule and the introduction of girls into the program.
For the 2017/18 season, all water polo
training was moved into the Guildford
Grammar School Senior Pool in Term 4. This
move afforded more training time to the
seniors, and allowed the juniors to train until
5.30pm. Collectively, there was an increased
number of students participating in the water
polo program, which allowed for three senior
teams to participate in the competition each
week as well as two teams in the junior
program. Across each division, the program
was able to incorporate additional swimming
and water polo training sessions to further
develop skills and fitness. The start of the new
school year in 2018 introduced new Year 7’s
into the water polo program, who all added
to a vibrant atmosphere on the pool deck and
led the way in improving and developing
their understanding of the game. This made
for a credible start to Term 1 for the juniors
with a win over Aquinas.
With increased numbers, water polo
welcomed a group of highly competent girls
into the sport in Term 1, who all participated
with vigour in training and fixtures. The girls
participated in Sunday fixtures which made
for a highlight of the season. The first game
was played at HBF Stadium between two
mixed teams. The water polo was serious
but was mixed in with a lot of laughter. By
the second fixture, the girls had established
themselves, well and truly giving the sport a
go and throwing themselves into the game.
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Imogen Brooks (11SG) demonstrated the
depth of her water polo knowledge while
Ellen Kozlowska (11Sc) lost any regard
for her physical safety or that of the boys
she was marking. Rebecca Adamson
(11SG), Abigail Burbridge (11Be) and
Sienna Tolomei (11SG) showed increasing
confidence in the physicality of the game
and showed snippets of the aggression
needed.
When the big day
came on the final
game of the season,
the 1st Team played
every minute as if it
was the minute that
decided the game.
To address a deficit in basic water polo
skills, a water polo camp was held over
the January school holidays. The camp was
held over three days at Bicton, HBF Stadium
and Guildford Grammar School. With
more than 30 students participating in the
camp, including Preparatory School water
polo students and Year 11 girls, the camp
offered exposure to the best water polo
practice. Coaches were invited from Water
Polo WA, alongside our own coaching staff
in John Watt and Miles Gilbert (Be 08-15).
Additionally, the students were able to view
and learn from State League water polo
games that were being played at Bicton.
Over the summer break, the 1st Team
players all pushed themselves to develop
additional fitness and committed to further
skills training. Specifically tasked with
developing team cohesion, the students
attended additional PSA swimming training
sessions and set team meetings on Monday
afternoons after school. It was apparent
that the new training regime was working
and the improved quality of gamesmanship
during fixtures was clear. The 1st Team
continued chipping away at their game
strategy, pushed each other’s commitment
to the fullest extent and set a team goal of
winning a game against Trinity. When the big
day came on the final game of the season,
the 1st Team played every minute as if it
was the minute that decided the game. It
was thrilling to watch the team’s maturity
in not allowing themselves to become
overconfident and the team came away with
a victory for the first time in six years. A just
reward for the hard work, development and
improvement that had been collectively put
in across the entire 2017/18 season.
Mrs Lisl McGuire
Teacher-in-Charge, Water Polo