Backyard swimming pool laid foundations for Australia’s latest water polo player, Sophie Milliken

A backyard swimming pool in leafy Bardon laid foundations for Australia’s latest water polo player, Sophie Milliken, who used to do extra shooting practice aiming at two crosses marked on each side of the pool.

Sophie Milliken is Australia’s latest water polo representative.

In a backyard swimming pool around the leafy streets of Bardon is an unofficial training venue for Australia’s latest water polo representative, Sophie Milliken.

The 17-year-old was capped up for the first time against Italy in Perth during February, and then got in the water for friendly matches ahead of a Test series against the United States in March.

Milliken’s backyard pool, where she did extra practice, is marked with taped crosses in two places, on either side of the pool

“I don’t remember them not being there,’’ Milliken said, recalling how her and her brothers would practice shooting by barrelling a water polo ball at the crosses.

While the crosses remain, her backyard pool is now a place for recreation these days because she trains twice a week with her senior club, Queensland Breakers.

Milliken was bitten with the water polo bug while watching her brothers play the sport.

A swimmer at the time, she liked what she saw.

Initially swimming helped her water polo skills, then it became a burden and she had to make a choice.

“It helped and then it made it hard to keep both up.

“I preferred water polo because it was not repetitive and because of all the friends I made,’’ she said, adding the competitive nature of the team sport also agreed with her.

The under 14 age group was her break through season when she was named most valuable player at the club national titles, and then made the Queensland East Coast Challenge representative team.

Two years later was in the Australian junior team competing at the Pan Pacs and now she is a senior international.

Although she has not started in a Test yet, observing the national side from the reserves bench has been helpful.

“I learnt so much from the other girls,’’ she said.

“The intensity is one of the most important things. It is a whole new level they play at.

“I also learnt how much they know the game, read the game.’’