Sunshine Water Polo Association announces Maddi Coolican as coach of U14 boys for Australian Youth Water Polo Championships

Sunshine Water Polo Association has announced Maddi Coolican as the coach to lead a fired up junior squad aiming to take on the country.

30/03/2021 - 21 year old Maddi Coolican Picture: Amanda Coolican

Sunshine Water Polo Association has announced Maddi Coolican as the coach to lead a fired up junior squad aiming to take on the country.

Coolican, 21, will coach the Under 14 boys green team in the upcoming Australian Youth Water Polo Championships next month in Brisbane.

Coolican brings years of experience to the role, having played water polo since the age of 12.

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She went on to represent the Coast in the state titles in the same year.

“I first began coaching when I was still at school,”she said.

“It was a natural progression for me as the Year 12 water polo captain to start coaching the primary school girls who, I believe, remain undefeated to this day.”

While water polo has become her ‘side hustle’ during her commitment to university studies, Coolican has managed to juggle both obligations and hopes to graduate with a Bachelor of Business in Human Resources before the end of this year.

However, even during the most challenging times, her passion for water polo remained strong.

“What I most love about water polo – whether as a player or a coach – is seeing everyone push through a hard game together, the feeling of unity in achieving the end result and the hard determination which is shared by everyone to get there, will always draw me back to this sport”, she said.

Her immediate focus is on the team she is now responsible for leading into the National Youth Australian Championships.

It is her first time to coach a male team.

“I know that the Sunshine Coast boys have been training very well and hard, so I am eager to see them be the dark horse in this competition,” she said.

When asked about any challenges along the way, Coolican is quick to confirm that water polo is a great sport for all.

“As a female coach on the Sunshine Coast I have always felt supported by people who are as equally passionate about this wonderful sport as I am.

“I just love the inclusive environment and fantastic culture which water polo provides to everyone”.

Originally published as Sunshine Water Polo Association announces Maddi Coolican as coach of U14 boys for Australian Youth Water Polo Championships