Queensland Thunder speed merchant aiming for world youth water polo selection

Queensland Thunder rookie Alice Campbell is lean speed merchant in the pool who is so skilled that she has been named in an 18-member training squad striving for a place at this year’s FINA World Women’s Youth Water Polo Championships.

Queensland Thunder rookie Alice Campbell is lean speed merchant in the pool who is so skilled that she has been named in an 18-member training squad striving for a place at this year’s FINA World Women’s Youth Water Polo Championships.

Yet for all the time she spends in the water, it is surprising she is not a little water logged.

You see Campbell is not only a member of the exciting Thunder squad playing in the national league, she is also a competitive swimmer.

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Campbell trains at the Rackley Centenary Swim Club where her club mates Tom Neill, Bronte Job and Louis Townsend were contenders for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Alice Campbell, right, is introduced to the crowd at a recent Queensland Thunder match. On her right is Tenealle Fasala who made the same Australian youth squad. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Campbell is also so proficient that she has times good enough to send her off to the Olympic swimming trials in June.

But one senses selection in the Australian youth squad alongside fellow Thunder rookies Tenealle Fasala and Phoebe Leech could tip her into specialising in water polo.

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“I am still undecided where I want to go, but at the moment I am leaning more toward water polo, but I am still training for swimming,’’ Campbell said.

“It (youth world championships) is a really good goal to try and make and it is a big factor in my head to keep pushing at water polo.’’

A Moreton Bay College school leaver in 2019, Campbell started water polo at the Carina Warriors aged 10 playing with the boys, including her brothers and her father.

“I didn’t like the aggression, but I think I have gained a love of that now,’’ the Carindale resident said.

Alice Campbell (No. 6) tries to block a pass during a match earlier in her career.

She then moved to the Mermaids’ club and this year progressed into the Queensland Thunder squad.

“The best part is the girls, and culture is amazing and just training with the girls every week is amazing.

“It is really helpful to have a young team because no one (opposition) knows what we are like – we are all new faces to the competition which is good.’’

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Campbell said playing with the likes of Australian representatives Bronwen Knox and Abby Andrews was also enormous, she enjoyed the tactics and skill work of her coaches.

Campbell said as a result of playing with the best, she had noticed a shift in her attitude. “Last year I was undecided and now I feel a lot more certain where I want to go.’’