The Mermaids water polo club is celebrating two national titles winning efforts

The Mermaids water polo club is celebrating two national titles winning efforts. The young club secured back to back under 14 titles while the under 18s also won the national grand final.

The Mermaids water polo club is celebrating two national titles winning efforts.

The young club secured back to back under 14 titles while the under 18s also won the national grand final.

The Mermaids under 14 national title winning outfit.

The under 14s beat All Hallows School while the under 18s accounted for Drummoyne in a thriller, 10-9.

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“It is such a great achievement to be in the top two in Australia in both age groups, beyond our wildest dreams,’’ said head coach Nicola Johnson.

Nicola Johnson, pink cap, addresses her Mermaids under 18 water polo team at the national tournament. Picture: Emma Cuell

Mermaids were also fielding teams in this week’s under 12 and under 16s tournaments being held in Brisbane.

The Mermaids were started just six years ago by Johnson, a former state player, and her husband Lance.

The club was started after encouragement from the parents of children who were tiring of swimming.

Nicola Johnson with her sisterm Kristina Sherer, after one of the grand final wins. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“The whole thing is sensational. You would not get a better club to be in,’’ said Prue Cox, one of the club’s team managers. “And the training is second to none.’’

Johnson said the rise of the club was extraordinary. “I could not have expected it in my wildest dreams. It is very exciting,’’ Johnson said.

Mermaids water polo club under 18s who won.

Last year the club won the under 14 national title but it was the first time Mermaids had entered a side into the under 18 nationals.

“We keep developing each year,’’ she said.

“The depth within the teams is also there.’’

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“In the under 14s it did not matter who you had in the water, you still had depth across the pool.

Mermaids water polo under 18 goal keeper Kate Power. Image courtesy of Water Polo Australia

“We seem to be able to put anyone in the water and they can hold their own.’’

She said having depth also allowed their best players to have a rest during the tournament and not be burnt out by the time the finals come along.’’.

Mermaids water polo player Kasey Dalziel

Parents swamped Facebook with complements about the club after the two wins.

“Well done girls, Nicola, Lance and everyone else helping behind the scenes at Mermaids. Awesome effort and great team,’’ said Kay Campbell.

The winning under 14 Mermaids. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Alexandra Osadchuk added: “Congratulations. Absolutely amazing water polo for both U18 and U14 teams. Bravo girls, Nicola and Lance.’’

Johnson said when she started training young water polo players at the Yeronga pool six years ago, she never thought it was the start of a club.

AHS Sienna Kerr and Mermaids Pink Sienna Owen. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“We did not think the club would exist,’’ the East Brisbane resident said. “We thought we were giving skills to the kids before they move on to clubs that already existed.’’

But as more children started turning up, Johnson saw potential.

“We thought ‘lets turn this more into a club, not just a skills based program’.’’