The head coach for the Australian youth women’s squad is Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist Taryn Woods, who brought the group together for their first training camp of 2023 following the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) in Perth.

Taryn said the opportunity to connect the next generation with recently retired Olympians, as well as some of the women who paved the way for the future of the sport, is something water polo really strives to do.

“It’s fantastic, not only do all the coaches on pool deck have a wealth of playing experience but also coaching experience,” Taryn said.

“We’ve had six Olympians coaching throughout the camp, and I think that’s really nice for the girls to see that there is a pathway after playing, but also to see some strong female coaches on the side leading the way.

The elite group of women which supported the squad in camp as assistant coaches included four-time Olympian and two-time medallist Bronwen Knox, triple Olympian and bronze medallist Rowie Webster, Athens 2004 Olympian Jodie Stuhmcke, Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist Yvette Higgins and London 2012 British Olympian Chloe Wilcox.

“The coaches we’ve had are all fantastic and I think the girls have really got a lot out of it.

"We’re working closely together with Paul (Oberman) and the Aussie Stingers so we’re building those foundations and that style, so as they progress from junior to senior ranks they are prepared.”

During the camp, in conjunction with the AYWPC, the youth women’s squad had an opportunity to watch their Aussie Stingers heroes in action against reigning Olympic and world champions, the USA.

“It’s not very often, particularly in the last few years, to get the opportunity to see the top-level game and athletes in action,” Taryn said.

“It was great for us to be able to reference what we’ve been working on in training, and seeing it in action.

“It helps reinforce the point that everything we do in training has an application in the game and you can see it done well at the senior level.”

Former Aussie Stingers captain, three-time Olympian and national generation 2032 coach Rowie Webster said she loved being in camp to share her knowledge with the next generation, and also learning from the other coaches as well.

“We’ve got an incredible amount of knowledge in the coaching staff, and for the girls to have all women on pool deck this week who have all competed for their country at the highest level is really nice to see,” Rowie said.

“I’ve been soaking it up like a sponge too. I’m new to the world of coaching so for me it’s gaining experience from those that have already walked and progressed through to a higher level.

“I’m lucky enough to be able to quiz Taryn at the end of the day as well…the conversations are really open, honest and organic and I love that about this group of women.

“We can learn from each other, we can share ideas and we’re going to take that back to our own states and clubs and make the program better, holistically, for Australian water polo,” she said.

For Rowie, who announced her retirement from elite sport following the Tokyo Olympic Games, said it’s been great to see all female coaches supporting young women to take their sport to the next level.

“I think it’s incredibly inspiring and empowering, and it’s something that none of us coaches had on our water polo journey.

“We spoke about it on day one as a coaching panel. We didn’t have access to really good female coaches, yet some of these girls in the squad at the moment know no different than to have five female Olympians standing on pool deck coaching them, and isn’t that really nice that they think this is normal.”

When the opportunity came up to stay involved in water polo after her career as an athlete to start working through the ranks as a coach, Rowie couldn't pass it up.

“I always say it probably takes 100 people to get one athlete where they need to be. So if you aren’t that athlete, there’s 100 other roles that you could do to facilitate and help out…physios, coaches, psychologists, support staff, media, logistics, there’s everything in between.

“There’s no end point… the opportunities are endless if you’re willing to take a chance, step outside your comfort zone, it’s amazing where your life will take you.

“It’s a real privilege to be in the program that I’m in, and it’s only going to benefit the next generation for years to come.

“The fact that we’ve identified the need to produce Australian coaches and we’ve got an opportunity with a home Games in nine years time to do so, is fantastic and it’s only up from here!

“One day, if I'm up there as an elite coach that would be amazing, but if not the processes and the structures around me and around every other young coach…we’ll all be better for it,” she said.