Smith Connors and Auguste Korac picked in Australian Men’s Cadet team.

Two Sunshine Coast teenagers are set to perform on the world stage after they were selected in the Australian Men’s Water Polo Cadet team.

Two rising Sunshine Coast water polo stars have earnt themselves selection in the Australian Men’s Cadet team ahead of the World Championships in Greece from August 21 to 27.

Noosa and Sunshine Coast players Smith Connors and Auguste Korac, were selected in the final 13-player team after a number of gruelling training camps and representative tournaments alongside the country’s top under 16 players.

The pair will undertake an eight-day intensive AIS camp in Canberra before a further 10 days of acclimatising training in Serbia, Montenegro or Spain ahead of the 32 country tournament in Volos, Greece.

After securing a silver medal for the Queensland team in January, both impressed selectors and Australian coach Dragan Bakić, with Connors as captain and Korac finishing the tournament as the team’s leading goalscorer.

Sunshine Coast Water Polo players Auguste Korac and Smith Connors have been picked in the Australian Men's Cadet squad. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Korac, who is in grade 11 at St. Andrew's Anglican College, said the selection was a massive achievement.

“I played heaps of sports growing up but I found my place in water polo and so as you get older it gets more competitive and of a higher skill level so this year we had the opportunity to be up for selection in the Australian team,” he said.

“We competed at a number of tournaments and somehow we got picked so we’re both super keen not only to represent our country but our state, our region, our club and even our school which is a really good feeling.”

Sunshine Coast Water Polo players Auguste Korac and Smith Connors will travel to the AIS in preparation for the world championships. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Connors, who had been involved in the sport since he was 11, said it was a dream come true.

“I’m pretty stoked, it’s a good feeling especially because not many boys represent Australia especially from the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“There’s 32 countries going and they’re the cream of the crop in the under-16 age division so no doubt they’ll be strong.”

Both players said they hoped to one day play water polo at a professional level and Korac said he was looking forward to working with the elite level coaching staff.

“As these representative teams come about obviously the skill level increases but the coaching definitely gets a lot better as well,” he said.

“This whole experience can only help grow our games which is something that’s super exciting.”

Helen Park with Sunshine Coast water polo athletes. Picture: Geoff Potter

The news followed Noosa Water Polo’s Helen Park receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to the sport.

Park played water polo as a child and went on to represent Australia in 2007 and 2013 before being involved at school, club and representative levels for more than 25 years on the Sunshine Coast.

“It’s quite ridiculous really, I was very surprised and it’s a real honour to be awarded an OAM,” she said.

“It’s a very nice thing but I think a lot of other people should be getting them if I am.”

Park has held a number of committee and convener roles for Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Queensland Water Polo that have included president, treasurer, secretary and team manager.

The Sunshine Beach State School teacher has taken numerous young athletes to competitions across the world including Europe, England, Singapore and New Zealand and many have gone on to represent Australia at the Olympics.

“I've always had a passion for water polo and for sports in general I guess so it’s great to see kids grow and develop.”

“I’ve coached Smith and Auguste and their recent selection is a wonderful achievement for all of their hard work.”