Queensland Thunder rookie Will Valentine from the Brisbane Barracudas club in learning curve

When Queensland Thunder rookie Will Valentine started in the sport, he was a child playing against older boys. Seven years later Valentine, 16, is now the young man he used to play against, but he still finds himself as the new kid on the block in the AWPL

When Queensland Thunder water polo rookie Will Valentine started in the sport, he was a child playing against older boys.

“I started when I was eight playing in the under 14s, so I got absolutely smashed,’’ Valentine said.

“But playing against those older kids, you learn a lot even though you are destroyed.’’

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Seven years later Valentine, 16, is now the young man he used to play against, but he still finds himself as the new kid on the block in the Australia Water Polo League.

Barracudas water polo club player Will Valentine.

“The first few games were a bit tough. I was a bit scared to get in with these massive blokes,’’ the Samford resident said.

“But especially after my first goal, I shot up a bit (in confidence). Now I am excited to get in, pumped up and ready. I am used to the system and know what is coming each game.’’

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Valentine said scoring his first national league goal off Tom Culleton’s pass was a simple but meaningful moment. “After that it seemed to come a lot easier.’’

Barracudas water polo club player Will Valentine was invited to train on the reef with the senior Australian side last year.

A Marist College Ashgrove student, Valentine was on a fast learning curve in 2020 before the season was called off due to the coronavirus crisis, gathering an array of experiences including playing in open water against Newcastle in the Newcastle Harbour.

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It was the second time Valentine had experienced playing in open water after training out on the Great Barrier Reef with the Australian under 16 side last year.

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He had been included in the Australian under 16 squad ahead of the side being finalised for the FINA Water Polo Youth World Championships, but the titles are now in limbo because of the world health crisis.