Nikita Strbac headed back to where it all began as he represents Australia on water polo tour

WHAT started out as fun on a family holiday has become a way of life for rising water polo star Nikita Strbac — and now he’s headed back to where it all began as he represents Australia.

Maroubra water polo player Nikita Strbac is a state and national champion with dreams of representing Australia at the Olympics. Picture: supplied.

WHAT started out as fun on a family holiday has become a way of life for Maroubra water polo star Nikita Strbac — and now he’s headed back to where it all began.

After spotting people playing the game in the Adriatic Sea while visiting Montenegro when he was eight years old, Nikita jumped in to give it a try, and has been hooked ever since.

Now 14, Nikita has been selected by Water Polo Australia to be part of his age group squad to represent his nation at the tour of Montenegro and the 9th Darko Cukic Memorial tournament in Belgrade, Serbia in August.

“I always liked the water and the physicality and the training makes it a tough sport, that’s what I love about it, Nikita said.”

Nikita Strbac in action with the Drummoyne Devils under 16s. Picture: supplied.

“The training has increased a lot now with the tour coming up, I’m doing water sessions and gym sessions as well as swimming training.”

Nikita is up out of bed at 4:30am every morning, waking his parents to drive him to swim training at Tivoli Swim School Rose Bay, and Water Polo NSW high performance training at Ashfield.

He also trains with Drummoyne Water Polo Club two nights a week, where he was named this year’s most valuable player, and served as captain of the Devils’ under 14 and under 16 teams at nationals.

A Year 9 student at Waverley College, Nikita is also a member of the school’s water polo team, and has won medals at state and national tournaments over the past two years.

Nikita Strbac got into water polo after spotting people playing it when he was on a famaily holiday in Montenegro aged eight. Picture: supplied.

It’s an exhausting schedule, but Nikita takes it all in his stride.

“I just have to be organised, and make sure I get a good night’s sleep,” he said.

“I love my sport so it’s not hard — I just want to get better.

“I do like to go to the beach, hang out with my mates and play PlayStation, but that all takes a back seat.”

After completing national selection camp at the Australian Institute of Sport last month and winning gold at the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo festival in New Zealand in 2016, Nikita has his sights set on a professional career.

“I would love to go to the Olympics of course, that’s the dream,” he said.