Local Sports Star: Alex Brischetto, of Moorebank, finds success after joining water polo team

After playing soccer for most of his childhood, 13-year-old Alex Brischetto hung up his boots a year ago to pursue water polo instead.

Moorebank’s Alex Brischetto is this week’s nominee for the Local Sports Star award. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

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After playing soccer for most of his childhood, 13-year-old Alex Brischetto hung up his boots a year ago to pursue water polo instead.

The Moorebank athlete joined the under-14 ACU Cronulla Sharks because there wasn’t a team in Liverpool.

Now he has been selected to be on the NSW water polo team, which will compete next month.

Inspired by his cousin, who is on the Australian men’s team, Alex made the switch from soccer to water polo.

Alex began competing in water polo a year ago. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

The fourth child of six in the Brischetto family, he and his siblings have always been strong swimmers, taking lessons from Esposito Swim School, run by the family of Olympic gold medallist Chloe Esposito.

These days Alex trains at Whitlam Leisure Centre up to five times a week, on top of four training sessions with his team. Each Sunday, he competes in games with his team.

Mum Leesa said she was proud of his dedication to the sport and his ability to balance it with school commitments.

“We’ve always encouraged him to be in sport because we thought keeping him fit and healthy is the best thing to do,” Ms Brischetto said.

Alex is this week’s Local Sports Star nominee in the Junior Sports Star category.

Nominate at localsportsstars .com.au.