NZ Women's U20 National Water Polo team ready for U20 World Championships in Brazil

The New Zealand Women's U20 National Water Polo team is gearing up for the 2025 World Aquatics Women's U20 Water Polo Championships, set to take place from 10–16 August 2025 in Salvador, Brazil. This prestigious tournament will feature 16 teams from across the globe, with New Zealand drawn into Group A alongside Spain, the Netherlands, and Israel.

The team features Holly Dunn, who recently played for the New Zealand Women’s White Caps at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, scoring four goals across the tournament.

Five players also bring valuable experience from the 2025 World University Games, where New Zealand achieved a fourth-place finish in Germany — including their first-ever victory over Hungary. That group includes Riaan Bryant, Georgia Daly, Taylor Fisher, Sophie Gardiner, and Emison Styris, all looking to carry momentum into the U20 World Championships in Brazil.

With a mix of proven international talent and emerging stars, the New Zealand U20 team will aim to make their mark against some of the toughest opposition in women’s water polo.

Group stage fixtures

New Zealand has been drawn into Group A alongside Spain, the Netherlands and the Israel:

• Monday, 11 August – 7:00 AM NZST – New Zealand vs Israel

• Tuesday, 12 August – 11:30 AM NZST – Spain vs New Zealand

• Wednesday, 13 August – 4:30 AM NZST – Netherlands vs New Zealand

(Remaining fixtures to be confirmed)

Watch live

Each match of the 2025 World Aquatics Women's U20 Water Polo Championships will be streamed LIVE and FREE on the World Aquatics YouTube Channel - make sure to tune in and support our New Zealand national team!

Stay connected

For updates throughout the tournament — including results and highlights — stay in the loop via the links below:

• Instagram: @waterpolonz

• Facebook: Water Polo New Zealand

• Website: www.nzwaterpolo.org.nz

• World Aquatics: https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/4887/world-aquatics-women-s-u20-water-polo-championships

Get behind the team and stay informed as they represent Aotearoa on the global stage.

New Zealand Women's U20 National Water Polo team:

Team list: 

1. Sophie Gardiner (Atlantis City)
2. Emison Styris (Sea Wolf)
3. Katie Marshall (Atlantis City)
4. Lucy Gilleece (Atlantis City)
5. Riaan Bryant (Marist)
6. Holly Dunn (Atlantis City)
7. Georgia Daly (Atlantis City)
8. Taylor Fisher (Marist)
9. Erika Paterson (North Harbour)
10. Una Dennehy (North Harbour)
11. Holly Roberts (Marist)
12. Keira Evans (Atlantis City)
13. Zoe Crisp Hughes (Canterbury)
14. Sia Okach (Marist)

Non-travelling reserves: Tiaare Ahovelo (Sea Wolf), Caitlyn Mossman (Sea Wolf)

Support staff: Facundo Policarpo (Head Coach), Justin Pickering (Assistant Coach), Kate Henderson (Manager)