Sporting stars coming to Orange to teach the finer points on dribbles, drops and dry passes

July 28, 2022

Stock image.

By staff writer

Water Polo NSW in partnership with Orange Water Polo will establish a regional academy in Orange.

Based at the Orange Aquatic Centre, the academy’s first session will be held on Sunday (July 31, 2022) from 3:30-5pm.

"The academy provides a performance pathway for local athletes who have already been selected in NSW state squads and teams, or who are working to explore that direction," said a council statement.

It will run for six weeks during term 3, finishing in September.

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The coaching line-up includes Nikita Williams (nee Cuffe), 2008 bronze medallist Beijing; Alicia McCormack, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London bronze medallist; and Sam McGregor, Australian Men’s team 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Current Australian Stingers player Genevieve Longman and the current UTS Balmain Men’s National League Player Harry Sanderson will also be part of the coaching team.

Orange City Council’s Sport & Recreation Committee chair, councillor Tammy Greenhalgh, noted that "water polo has been growing steadily in Orange in recent years, and I’m delighted local teens who want to take a fun sport to the next level will now have the opportunity to gain support and extra training from top coaches."

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The players invited to the academy in Orange are boys and girls born from 2005 to 2009 who have potential to progress through the State Team Program pathway.

“I am thrilled to have been able to set up a regional academy in Orange," said Alex Godbold, chief executive of Water Polo NSW.

Orange City Council.

President of the Orange Water Polo Association, Sarah Sokol, said it was "incredible" to have "coaches of this calibre" in regional NSW.

“To have Australian Olympic water polo royalty in our midst [to] pass on their knowledge of the game to our young talented players is priceless.”

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Around 30 local young players have been invited to take part.

The 25m pool at the Orange Aquatic Centre will be closed for community swimming from 2.30pm on Sunday afternoons from July 31 to September 4.