Former ­Australian water polo player Nicola Johnson building Mermaids into a force

Five years ago former ­Australian water polo player Nicola Johnson was urged by some friends to start a junior water polo team called Mermaids based out of the Yeronga pool in School Rd.

Nicola Johnson poses with members from Mermaids Water Polo, Yeronga, Sunday, February 4, 2018 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Five years ago former ­Australian water polo player Nicola Johnson was urged by some friends to start a junior water polo team called Mermaids based out of the Yeronga pool in School Rd.

There was a cohort of strong swimmers in the area, including Johnson’s daughter Chelsea, who were “wanting something different’’, so one team was formed.

Fast forward to 2018 and now 16 teams from the ­Mermaids grace Brisbane competitions from under-12 to under-17s.

“It is amazing. It is not what we were expecting,’’ Johnson said in reference to the growth.

“They are having fun, they mention it to their friends and their parents come along. They have so much fun and they are getting good coaching.’’

Johnson and her ­husband, Lance, are head coaches overseeing stunning success which last year saw the Mermaids capture the under-12 national title and win both the under-12 and under-14 state titles.

Also last year, the ­Mermaids produced a dozen Queensland representatives at under-14 and under-16 level.

And just last week the under-12 Mermaids side ­finished second at the ­national championships, defeated for the title in a penalty shoot out.

“It is fantastic to see them take their next step,’’ Johnson said.

“You are coaching all day Saturday and Sunday. It is exhausting but the reward you get: you see the kids’ faces — it is fantastic.’’

What started off as a snowball is now an avalanche as more than 150 children flock to train each weekend.

So where will it end?

“We will have to go through all the way to seniors and have teams in senior competitions because you can’t just dessert them (after juniors) and say you are on your own,’’ he said.

“And hopefully we will look for our first Australian representative sometime in the future.’’