Playing for Australia is a goal that Chelsea I (Class of 2024) has spent years working towards. Now she can’t believe it has finally come true. Chelsea grew up watching her dad play Water Polo, itching for the day she would finally be allowed to join him in the pool. When she was 10 years old, a friend’s mum in her hometown of Albury invited Chelsea to join her team and the rest is history.
Chelsea immediately took to the sport, eagerly anticipating each session in the pool. From the very beginning, she entered each game determined to play her best and bring home a win for her team. Chelsea cherished the close bonds she formed with her teammates, and to this day, they remain her favourite part of playing Water Polo.
She especially values the many lessons they have taught her over the years.
“I get to play with so many different people and learn from them too. Building shared experiences to achieve success and working towards a common goal motivates everyone in the team to feel a sense of accomplishment. Being a part of a team has also taught me to hold myself accountable and understand my role in different teams to work towards success,” she said.
I’ve always wanted to play for Australia. It’s such a tough sport, with so many great girls playing across Australia, so being selected is such a privilege. I can’t wait to continue representing my country.”
When Chelsea joined St Catherine’s as a boarder in 2022, one of the first things she did was sign up to play Water Polo. She knew that the bond of sport would help her feel even more comfortable in her new home. Soon, she was playing full-time for both the St Catherine’s Senior 1sts and the UNSW Wests Killer Whales teams.
Juggling a full-time study load in Years 11 and 12 while also playing Water Polo has been challenging at times, but Chelsea has a strategy that works for her. “I plan my schedule for the term to allow me to visually see what I have on. Communicating with all my coaches and teachers at school is also important to ensure I have a support network to help me find the right balance,” she explained.
It also helps that she has a deep dedication to the sport. Despite training before school at 5am and after school until 9pm, Chelsea rarely misses a day in the pool. “I make the necessary sacrifices and I am committed to putting in the hard work to achieve my goals and take opportunities when given,” she said.
“On top of that, I have a lot of support from school, friends and my family who have all continued to help me.” This approach has paid off, with Chelsea selected to represent Australia at the World Aquatics Women’s U18 Water Polo Championships in China later in 2024.
A long-term goal, Chelsea was thrilled to be selected for the team, adding that she has “always wanted to play for Australia. It’s such a tough sport, with so many great girls playing across Australia, so being selected is such a privilege. I can’t wait to continue representing my country.”
