States go head-to-head in Water Polo Australia’s Summer Slam in Brisbane

It’s state against state as Brisbane hosts the country’s top young water polo talents this month. Read all about the Summer Slam and see the livestream schedule.

Some of the country’s top young athletes are set to make a big splash in Brisbane this month as Water Polo Australia’s Summer Slam comes to town.

Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley Pool and Musgrave Park Pool will play host to two tournament as part of the Summer Slam, which is a state against state competition designed to give the next generation of water polo stars representative opportunities.

>> WATCH THE LIVESTREAM: Waterpolo Australia Summer Slam kicks off Monday, January 10

The event, featuring under-16 to under-20 teams from around Australia, has returned to the national calendar after a long hiatus due to Covid-19.

This month’s action will start with the 16 and under and 18 and under tournament from January 10-13 followed by the 20 and under tournament from January 17-20.

Almost 40 group games along with all finals from both tournaments will be livestreamed by NewsCorp.

One of the stars to watch at the Summer Slam, Queensland Under-20 women's player Tenealle Fasala. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Covid has still had an impact on the tournament with teams from Western Australia being forced to withdraw along with some teams from South Australia and Tasmania, who will now combine to make two teams.

Queensland Under-20 women’s coach and Olympian Jodie Stuhmcke said preparation for the tournament had been challenging and disruptive due to the current Covid situation.

“Team cohesion will be the key for us as this group of athletes have never played together before,” she said.

“Effective communication and that the athletes enjoy the tournament and have fun with their teammates will also be key.

Queensland Under-20 women's coach Jodie Stuhmcke in action during her playing days. Picture: Annette Dew

“As a group, we have a great combination of Queensland Academy of Sport athletes and strong premier league players.

“Tenealle Fasala is a QAS athlete who is currently at an Australian Stingers Camp.

“Tenealle is a strong centre forward and outside shooter, who brings a lot of talent and skill into our team environment.

“Kate Blew and Eve Gath are also QAS athletes and will be players to watch.”

Stuhmcke said with the withdrawals of Western Australia and South Australia, New South Wales would be the team to beat.

“They historically always have strong athletes,” she said.

Queensland captain Marcus Berehulak. Picture: John Gass

Queensland Under-20 men’s captain Marcus Berehulak also identified a New South Wales team to beat and said he couldn’t wait to go up against some of the top talent from around Australia.

“New South Wales Blues are going to be our biggest rivals and ACT will have a strong team however it will be a cracking tournament as all the teams are quite strong,” he said.

He also picked out Blues stars Andrej Grgurevic, Tristan Glanznig and Kai Young as some players to watch alongside Matt Wilson from ACT.

Berehulak said his Queensland team had been training hard and were prepared to launch an attack on a gold medal.

“Team work and communication are going to be the two most vital keys for our success at this tournament if we are to be the best,” he said.

“Our goalie Noah Bright will be a very important player for us leading our defence, as well as Vill Valentine, who will be key role player in our team.

“However we have an overall strong team with good players in each position.”

The young athletes on show at the Summer Slam will also be looking to impress national team selectors at the tournament.

SUMMER SLAM LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE

WEEK 1

January 10 (Fortitude Valley Pool)

8am: U18 Boys Group A – NSW Waratahs v Qld Maroon

9.15am: U18 Boys Group A – Barbarians v Qld Gold

10.30am: U18 Boys Group A – NSW Blues v ACT

11.45am: U18 Boys Group A – Victoria v Qld Maroon

2pm: U18 Boys Group A – Qld Gold v NSW Waratahs

3.15am: U18 Boys Group A – Barbarians v NSW Blues

4.30pm: U18 Boys Group A – ACT v Victoria

January 11 (Fortitude Valley Pool)

8am: U16 Boys Group B – Qld Maroon v ACT

9.05am: U16 Boys Group B – Tasmania v NSW Waratahs

10.10am: U16 Boys Group A – NSW Blues v Victoria

11.15am: U16 Boys Group A – Barbarians v Qld Qld

1.30-4.45pm: U16 Boys Quarterfinals

January 12 (Fortitude Valley Pool)

8am: U16 Girls Group B – ACT v Barbarians Gold

9.05am: U16 Girls Group B – Tasmania v NSW Waratahs

10.10am: U18 Girls Group A – ACT v Qld Gold

11.25am: U18 Girls Group A – NSW Blues v Barbarians

12.40pm: U18 Girls Group A – NSW Waratahs v Victoria

1.55pm: U18 Girls Group A – Qld Maroon v ACT

3.10pm: U18 Girls Group A – Qld Gold v NSW Blues

4.25pm: U18 Girls Group A – Barbarians v NSW Waratahs

5.40pm: U18 Girls Group A – Victoria v Qld Maroon

January 13 (Fortitude Valley Pool)

8am: U18 Boys Bronze Medal Game

9.15am: U18 Girls Bronze Medal Game

10.30am: U16 Girls Grand Final

11.35am: U18 Girls Grand Final

12.50am: U16 Boys Grand Final

1.55pm: U18 Boys Grand Final

WEEK 2

January 17: 8am-4.45pm U20 Women at Fortitude Valley Pool

January 18: 8am-6pm U20 Men at Musgrave Park Pool

January 19: 9.15am-1pm U20 Women Semi-Finals at Fortitude Valley Pool

January 20: 8am-2.15pm U20 Women and Men Finals at Fortitude Valley Pool