Australian 20&U Women ready for World Aquatics Championships after strong pre-tournament performance
The Australian 20&U Womens team have wrapped up their pre-tournament camp in Recife, Brazil after partaking in a 6-day invitational tournament ahead of this weekend’s 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championships.
Taking on some of the world’s best, Australia were able to spend time acclimatising to the South American conditions and testing themselves against notable opposition such as Canada, Israel, Brazil, New Zealand and the USA.
Head Coach Dusan Damjanovic was pleased with how his team has been travelling, noting the depth of his roster and competition for starting positions.
“We have a good team, all of them are good players. It's good to have that problem that you don't know what your starting 7 may be for each game.”
Image: Head Coach Dusan Damjanovic watches over the Australian 20&U Womens team
With only a few days out from the World Aquatics Championships, Damjanovic highlighted the importance of the team’s effort and focusing on the present.
“My expectations for the team is that we play each game 100%. That we all give everything we have and take it game by game, day by day.”
Damjanovic’s direction was evident in Recife, with Australia powering to a 18-9 win over Canada to start the invitational tournament. Their strong performances continued across the week with wins against Israel, Brazil and New Zealand.
Australia went down swinging in their final pre-tournament match against the USA overnight. The fixture decided by penalties to seperate the competitive outfits, with the USA claiming a nail biting 16-14 win.
Despite the final result, Damjanovic reiterated the importance of such opportunities to develop and strengthen Australia’s top water polo talent.
“It's a great opportunity to have for these young people and to prepare them for the next step.”
The Australian 20&U Women’s head coach, who previously held an Assistant Coach role with the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers, is satisfied with the athletes rising through Australia’s pathways.
“These girls will compete for positions in the Stinger’s team in the future.”
“But till then, a lot of other teams are preparing and has the same targets. So it’s going to be a real competition ahead.”
The 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championships will run between 10-16 August, with 16 countries from around the globe battling it out in Salvador, Brazil.
The Women's U20 Water Polo Championships will be streamed LIVE and FREE on the World Aquatics Youtube Channel - click here.
Australia will kick start their campaign when they play their first game against South Africa on Monday, 11 August at 1am AEST.
Click here for more tournament information and full schedule.
AUSTRALIAN 20&U WOMEN’S DRAW (GROUP D)
Monday 11th August | 1:00am AEST | Game 1: Australia v South Africa
Monday 11th August | 11:30pm AEST | Game 2: Australia v Canada
Wednesday 13th August | 1:00am AEST | Game 3: Australia v People’s Republic of China
Thursday 14th August | TBC | TBC
Friday 15th August | TBC | Quarter-Finals and Classification
Saturday 16th August | TBC | Semi-Finals and Classification
Sunday 17th August | TBC | Finals and Classification
AUSTRALIAN 20&U WOMEN’S TEAM
Anneliese Pamp (Sydney Uni, NSW), Bless Daly (Polo Bears, QLD), Charley Stephens (Drummoyne, NSW), Chelsea Johnson (Mermaids, QLD), Ebony Nash (Sydney Uni, NSW), Georgia Chapman (Balmain, NSW), Isabel Scott (Sydney Uni, WA), Kali-yah Taoso (Mermaids, QLD), Koko Bacic (Drummoyne, NSW), Layla Smith (Balmain, NSW), Samantha Hardingham (Sydney Uni, NSW), Saskia Dunn (Balmain, NSW), Sienna Owen (Mermaids, QLD), Tayla Dawkins (Balmain, SA) Reserve: Horatia Schlect (Polo Bears, QLD), Matilda Waugh (Balmain, NSW), Sophie Pethers (Balmain, NSW)
Head Coach: Dusan Damjanovic (QLD)
