Behind the Scenes: NSW Coaches Prepare Young Water Polo Stars for National State Championships

As the 2024 National State Championships are under way, we dive into the insights shared by the coaches of the NSW State Teams, offering a glimpse into their preparations, philosophies, and goals. From poolside strategies to behind-the-scenes planning, these dedicated mentors are actively shaping the future of water polo in Australia as the competition unfolds.

Lorenzo Uda: Cultivating Champions in the U15 Boys

With the NSW BLUES U15's boys on the brink of their National State Championship debut, Lorenzo Uda, a former Italian water polo player and WPNSW coach since 2018, shares insights into their journey and his coaching philosophy.

 "The past six weeks have been incredibly rewarding," Uda enthuses. "Our early morning training sessions at SOPAC have forged a team that's more than just talented individuals - they're a cohesive unit, eager to learn and play together. The group, consisting of 13 Blues players and 5 reserves, impressed me from the very first session with their desire to collaborate and improve collectively."

Uda's experience coaching state teams to victory in 2019 and 2022 has significantly influenced his approach with this new group. He explains, "The core of my coaching philosophy remains unchanged. Building strong bonds among the athletes is crucial. I see echoes of the 2007-born girls' team I coached previously - both groups have potential Olympians for 2032, if not sooner."

Reflecting on his first experience as a head coach of a boy’s state team, Uda notes, "My approach to the team hasn't changed. I have focused on building strong bonds with the athletes, just as I have done in the past. I'm confident these boys will remain friends regardless of the outcome at Nationals."

As Head Coach of the U15 Boys age group in the WPNSW Academy, Uda has been impressed by the calibre of talent among the 40 kids from various NSW clubs. "I must say I was very surprised by the overall level of each athlete in this group," he shares. "This has allowed us to tailor high-performance sessions that challenge and develop their skills. I want to extend my gratitude to all club coaches for their work in making this age group so competitive."

Looking ahead to the championships, Uda emphasises that winning is not everything. "Our main goal is to showcase the best water polo we can, both individually and as a team. If we stick to our plan, victory will be a natural consequence," he states. "We're not necessarily aiming for a third consecutive victory. As I've told the boys - winning is not the end goal but rather a consequence of our efforts and teamwork."

Uda concludes with a rallying cry: "We would love to feel the support of the NSW Water Polo community next week. We are the Blues, and we will give it our all until the last second."

Jemma Semmens: Nurturing Excellence in the U15 Girls

Jemma Semmens, coach of the U15 Girls, speaks passionately about her team's eight-week preparation. "The commitment from this group is truly commendable," she says. "Their discipline and work ethic, both in and out of the pool, have been inspiring. Whatever has been asked of them, they have welcomed and worked hard to achieve. It's been great to see them bond as a team during training and games."

Semmens' journey into coaching was sparked by her own positive experiences as a player. "The lifelong friendships and love for the game I developed motivate me to give back," she explains. "Coaching has always been enjoyable for me. I like the challenge it presents and the opportunity to work with a team in preparation for tournaments. Seeing the athletes' small victories, the smiles when something clicks for them, or when they take a risk, and it pays off - those moments of pride are incredibly rewarding."

Her involvement with the State Team Program has given Semmens a unique perspective on its value. "It's more than just skill development," she asserts. "The program brings together the best players in our state weekly, allowing us to increase their skill levels both individually and as a team. We can challenge them with tactics and develop their understanding of the game. It is the beginning of these athletes' representative water polo journeys, fostering connections that could last throughout their careers. Each year, we see a new group come through, spreading their wings and forming new friendships. It's truly the start of them taking their water polo to the next level."

As Head Coach of the U15 Girls Development Academy, Semmens has implemented a structured approach. "We've been fortunate to have fantastic pool space and a consistent coaching group, which has helped progress the team," she details. "We've worked in cycles, building skills through drills and then applying them in game scenarios. Our focus has been on improving body position, technique, and game awareness. We set initial objectives for the group, and as they've achieved these, we've been able to challenge them further."

For the National State Championships, Semmens aims for her team to be mentally and physically prepared for each game. "Our goal is to approach it one quarter at a time, one game at a time," she says. "We want to trust our training, support each other both in and out of the water, and play to our strengths. We aim to be alert and prepared for every game, taking with us the processes and systems we have trained for. Above all, for most of our playing group, we want this first NSC experience to be positive, inspiring continued growth and love for the sport. It's about building a foundation for their future in water polo."

Pip Pipkin: Nurturing Excellence in the U17 Girls

Pip Pipkin, Leading the U17 Girls team, reflects on their eight-week preparation with enthusiasm. "The team is coming together," she says. "We're fine-tuning our tactics and ensuring each player's strengths are utilised to their fullest. There's a palpable eagerness among the girls to get to the Gold Coast and put their hard work to the test."

Pipkin's coaching journey began at 17 in California, eventually leading her to Australia in 2019. "Coaching is my way of making a positive impact," she explains. "The profound influence my coaches had on me drives me to do the same for these young athletes. It's about making a difference in their lives, even if it's small."

Her experience with the State Team Program and WPNSW Academy has been incredibly rewarding. "The athletes' competitive drive, focus, and eagerness to learn make coaching a joy," Pipkin shares. "What stands out is their overall mindset. Yes, they are talented, but it's their willingness to learn and improve that truly sets them apart. Witnessing their growth as players and individuals over the years has been incredible."

As the NSW Institute of Sport Assistant Coach and leader of the WPNSW Talent Program, Pipkin is impressed by the athletes' dedication. "Despite early morning sessions, their consistent attendance and positive attitudes are remarkable," she notes. "The WPNSW Talent Program is a fantastic resource for our pathway athletes. I am proud of how they juggle these sessions with everything else in their lives, and how they contribute to creating a valuable training environment. My hope is that they feel prepared and empowered for whatever comes next in their water polo journey."

For the National State Championships, Pipkin and her team have adopted a unique approach to success. "We've defined our own metrics beyond just winning," she explains. "At the beginning of our preparation, we sat down as a group and outlined what success would look like for us, separate from any results. Quality play, teamwork, resilience under pressure, and enjoying the experience were communally agreed upon as our indicators of success. While every team aims to be crowned the best in Australia, we're focused on playing good quality water polo, improving as a team, and being proud representatives of New South Wales, regardless of the final scoreboard."

Stefano Salvi: Fostering Team Spirit in the U17 Boys

Stefano Salvi, at the helm of the U17 Boys team, is thrilled with their progress over the eight-week preparation. "The team is doing great. I found an amazing group, all the boys showed me immediately that they were available to work hard to implement new ideas and game solutions," he enthuses. "The level these boys have reached was very good even before the 8 weeks I had to prepare them, therefore it was very easy for me to let them learn my strategies. I can say that all of them truly love water polo, and they commit a lot with themselves first to get better training after training."

Salvi's coaching journey began over two decades ago in Italy. "It was a long time ago, more than 20 years, I was 19 and I started to coach the U12's for a club in Italy called Posillipo," he reminisces. "I loved to teach young kids when at their first approach to water polo, it was nice to see the passion building every day, so I kept doing it, trying to mix my ideas as a player and all the different things that I learned from my coaches in my career. Soon I started to coach older teams until I moved to Australia where I also coached for SNB in multiple editions of the Sydney Super League."

His involvement with the State Team Program and WPNSW Academy has reinforced Salvi's belief in providing diverse opportunities for athletes. "It's always great to work with WPNSW, either in the State Team Program or the WPNSW Academy," he notes. "I think that it is important to offer to all our athletes as many possibilities as possible to be involved in water polo. Also, it is great to work with other coaches from other clubs that you see more often on the other side of the pool. I can talk as Head Coach of the U13's Women Academy and I can tell you that the quality and experience of my assistants were outstanding."

For the National State Championships, Salvi emphasises collective performance over individual brilliance. "Our goal is trying to play the best water polo we can," he states. "I am sure that if we play as a group where all the individualities are at the service of the team in a collective idea, we can try to arrive until the end of the tournament and…who knows…maybe also be rewarded. We do not have to forget that we play a team sport so we will need to show cohesion because we will need the help of everybody."

 A Unified Vision: Developing Water Polo's Future

As these coaches prepare their teams for the 2024 National Championships, a common thread emerges - a focus on long-term athlete development and love for the sport over short-term victories. Their commitment to nurturing skills, character, teamwork, and passion for water polo paints a bright future for the sport in New South Wales and beyond.

The championships, from 26th to 30th September on the Gold Coast, promise to be more than just a competition. They represent a crucial step in these young athletes' journeys, guided by coaches who understand that true success in sport transcends the scoreboard.

As the water polo community rallies behind these teams, we are reminded that every pass, every goal, and every save is contributing to something greater - the evolution and growth of water polo in Australia. The real victory lies in the development of these young athletes, both as players and as individuals, setting the stage for a thrilling future in the pool.