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Aiming to bolster opportunities for emerging and elite water polo players throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, the inaugural Fluidra Australia Cup has brought together eight clubs from four Australian states along with representatives from New Zealand and Singapore.

Staged from 21st to 24th January at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, the landmark event was designed to provide up-and-coming players with the opportunity to experience high-level, international competition which is critical for their ongoing development.

The competition provided emerging talent with a professional and high-intensity competition environment, exceeding expectations and drawing attention both nationally and internationally. With live streams broadcast in multiple countries, there were able to showcase the event to a global audience.

Champions Crowned in a Thrilling Competition
In the men’s final, the New Zealand U20s national team edged out the Canberra Krakens in a tight 9–7 contest. On the women’s side, Sydney University claimed victory over the Singapore women’s national team. Imogen Hicks (Sydney University) and Cole Phillips (New Zealand) were named MVPs of the tournament.

World-Class Officiating and Professional Execution
The tournament was not only praised for its high-level competition but also for the professionalism of its organisation. From top-tier refereeing to seamless event management, the Fluidra Australia Cup set a new benchmark for water polo tournaments in the region.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Tournament Convenor, Matt Turnbull advised “it was a great event. We were very happy with how it panned out and are grateful to our sponsors, such as Fluidra, for making this event happen."

Jeremy Smith from Fluidra emphasised the company’s commitment to the sport, saying "Fluidra is honoured to support local water polo clubs and players, providing them with a structured pathway and a fun experience while helping to build our future athletes."

Plans for Second Edition
Following the success of this inaugural competition, the next Fluidra Australia Cup is already set for December 2025, once again at the AIS.

Working in with Water Polo Australia schedule, the event is anticipated to be even bigger and better.

With growing international interest, teams from South Africa, Kazakhstan and other nations are keen to join the action. Plans are also underway to introduce additional elements to enhance the tournament experience.

Promotion for Yvette Audet
Fluidra Commercial has also recently promoted Yvette Audet to the role of Fluidra Commercial ANZ Marketing Manager.

Image: Action from the inaugural Fluidra Australia Cup.

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