Under 18 Women

The New Zealand Under 18 Women's Performance Programme is a pathway designed by New Zealand Water Polo to educate aspiring athletes about all aspects of water polo, both in and out of the pool.

The Under 18 Women's pinnacle event is the World Aquatics Women's U18 Water Polo Championships. 

In 2022, our NZ Under 18 Women placed 8th at the FINA World Women's Youth Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

In 2024, our NZ Under 18 Women placed 8th at the World Aquatics Women's U18 Water Polo Championships in Chengdu, China.

2025 NZ Under 18 Women's Squad

We are pleased to announce the NZ Under 18 Women's Squad which will train towards the 2026 World Aquatics U18 World Championships. Note that the squad has a revolving door principle, with 2024/25 squad size of approx. 25-35 athletes reducing to approx. 20 athletes by end of 2025.

Congratulations!

2024 World Aquatics Women's U18 Water Polo Championships

Where: Chengdu, China

When: 15-22 September 2024

Team:

• Madi Searle
• Zoe Crisp
• Bella Knight
• Bianca Pennington
• Ellie Millard
• Emison Styris
• Holly Dunn
• Katie Marshall
• Gabrielle Doyle
• Abby Welsh
• Tallulah Goldsworthy
• Taylor Fisher
• Bailee Swindells
• Riaan Bryant

Non-travelling reserves:

• Olivia Shine
• Charlotte Coughlan
• Lucy Gilleece
• Lia David

Travelling staff:

• Head Coach: Angie Winstanley Smith

• Assistant Coach: Facundo Policarpo

• Assistant Coach: Rachael Roset

• Sports Therapist: Simon Breen

NZWP Referee appointed by World Aquatics: Ryan McEwen 

2024 Women's 17&U Australian State Championships

Where: Gold Coast, Australia

When: 26-30 September 2024

Congratulations to all those selected to represent New Zealand at the 2024 Women’s 17&U Australian National State Water Polo Championships.

Team:

• Annabelle Imlah
• Anouk O’Malley-Cain
• Danica Phillips
• Holly Bricklebank
• Keira Evans
• Leni Webster
• Lucy Gilleece
• Mia Kelliher
• Paige Ellis
• Pippa Southcombe
• Sia Okach
• Sophie O’Leary
• Stevi Cooper

Non-travelling reserves:

• Caitlin Foote
• Jennifer Chilsolm
• Macy Mahoney-Studd

Coaching/Management team:

• Jordan Milich-Misikini
• Hannah Ngare
• Jo Milich-Misikini

Junior Development Squad 

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected into the Junior Development Squad (born 2007):

Annabelle Imlah, Anouk O'Malley-Cain, Caitlin Foote, Danica Phillips, Emma Needham, Gemma Robertson, Holly Bricklebank, Keira Evans, Leni Webster, Macy Mahoney-Studd, Mia Kelliher, Paige Ellis, Pippa Southcombe, Poppy Kostan, Sia Okach, Sienna Hirst, Sophie O'Leary, Stevi Cooper.

Dates:  

• AUS State Champs 24-29th September
• Training with AUS U18 Squad 29th September – 4th Oct

TEAM:

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2023 Australian U17 State Championships in Canberra, Australia in September 2023.

Travelling Team:

• Riaan Bryant (Marist)
• Zoe Crisp-Hughes (Canterbury)
• Lia David (Atlantis City)
• Gabrielle Doyle (North Harbour)
• Holly Dunn (Atlantis City)
• Sarah Edwards (Tauranga)
• Bella Knight (Sea Wolf)
• Katie Marshall (Atlantis City)
• Louise Masefield (Atlantis City)
• Bianca Pennington (Sea Wolf)
• Olivia Shine (North Harbour)
• Emison Styris (Sea Wolf)
• Bailee Swindells (Marist)

Travelling Reserve:

• Taylor Fisher (Atlantis City) - injured

Non Travelling Reserves:

• Charlotte Coughlan (Canterbury)
• Leni Webster (Marist)
• Ellie Millard (Marist) - injured

• Head Coach: Paul Swindells
• Referee/Assistant: Sam Wylie
• Manager: Prue Fisher

Event Information

How to watch the games

Draw & Results

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