KAP7 Cup finals livestream: Water polo teen Joel Smith gets tips from Olympic mum

As the son of two champion athletes Joel Smith had a big choice to make when he chose his sport. Strangely it was his feet which forced his hand.

Joel Smith, left, with fellow Australian U20s teammate Noah Bright after the U18s Australian Youth Water Polo championships.

Joel Smith grew up on his mother and father’s stories about playing for their country in elite sport.

His mother Bronwyn Maher was a member of the famous Sydney Olympic water polo team which won gold 21 years ago and a player who fought valiantly for the women’s game to be recognised at the highest level.

His father Damian was a rugby star, a former Queensland winger who made 21 appearances for the Wallabies between 1993 and 1998.

Bronwyn Mayer competing in Australia’s match against Kazakhstan at the Sydney Olympics.

But instead of being torn between these two sports, Smith said pursuing water polo was an easy decision for him.

“I have flat feet and I can’t run,’’ said the 18-year-old former Riverview student who will play in a major event in Sydney from Thursday after the Australian Water Polo League in Brisbane was cancelled due to the COVID outbreak. The Saturday finals of the event, the KAP7 Cup, will be livestreamed on News Corp websites, including The Daily Telegraph

“I put them in a footy boot and they roll up. I couldn’t walk for 20 minutes after I took my shoes off.

“Dad didn’t want me to get injured for water polo either so I hung up the cleats.

“I wasn’t that good. I’m six foot and skinny as.’’

Joel Smith, front row far right, was captain of the U18 Balmain team which won the 2020 Australian Youth Water Polo championships.

But from the start Smith showed aptitude in the water and his feet became an asset.

“They are like big flippers,’’ he said.

“I had a real affinity with it from when I started. I had my seven best mates with me and we all learnt to play together. It was great fun.”

Smith, studying business at UTS, is now a member of the well-known UTS Balmain team competing at the nationals in Brisbane.

“I’ve been with them I was 11, my mum, cousins and uncles all played there as well,’’ he said.

“Having mum and dad play sport; like they did helps me as a player.

They can guide me well.’’

Members of the Sydney 2000 Olympics women's water polo team 20 years on from their famous victory. L-R Taryn Woods, Yvette Higgins, Bronwyn Smith (nee Mayer) and Debbie Watson. Pic: Toby Zerna

Rugby union player Damian Smith back in 2000.

“It was pretty cool with the 20th anniversary of mum’s Olympic win last year hearing her do interviews and listening to the stories.

“I thought it was awesome. It's pretty inspirational for me and my sisters (Layla, 15, Indie, 13). We try to be like her and how she played.’’

Smith plays a number of positions with his club but refers right hand driver, the same position his mother player.

“She taught me how it was done.’’

The gold medal winning women got their own stamp after the sensational victory in 2000.

On Monday the Australian Water Polo League was cancelled but the youth championships may still proceed.

The AWL was scheduled to start on Wednesday and was to be livestreamed across all News Corp sites.

A three day lockdown of Brisbane caused by a COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the decision.

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Originally published as KAP7 Cup finals livestream: Water polo teen Joel Smith gets tips from Olympic mum