Boys and Girls National double Gold.

Sydney club Cronulla have repeated their 2008 success by winning the boy’s and girl’s double at the 14 & Under National Club Championships in Canberra.

In two exciting finals, the Cronulla Blue boys over came a tough KFC Breakers side 9-4, while the girls defeated Melville 8-4.

The win was a family affair with husband and wife team Mark and Sandra Holden, coaching the successful teams which included their children, Rhys and Kiara. For Sandra, the win was the perfect end to months of training.  “The girls have trained hard all year and they absolutely deserved the result they got,” Sandra said. “They work hard as a team, and that’s the key to the win.”

For both coaches, to take home the double is special.  “It is fantastic to take both championships, both teams work hard and support each other in and out of the pool,” Mark said. “Both teams have big hearts, and they always play with passion,” Sandra added.

For girl’s captain Samantha Mitchell, winning the gold wasn’t her only achievement of the day, she also took home the Player of the Series award. But for Sam, the award wouldn’t have even been possible if not for her team.  “It is amazing, to win the championships and then Player of the Series,” Mitchell said.  “But without my team I couldn’t have got either. We played amazing today and were rewarded with the gold.”  Mitchell’s teammate Maddison Nusdorfer was awarded the Goal Keeper of the Series in the girl’s tournament.

Boy’s:

Gold – Cronulla Sharks Blue; Silver – KFC Breakers; Bronze – Melville Sharks

Player of the Series - Rowan Farrell (Drummoyne Devils); Leading Goal Scorer – Jake Robinson (Hunter Hurricanes); Goal Keeper - Lucas Pensini (Melville Sharks)

Girl’s:

Gold – Cronulla Sharks Blue; Silver – Melville Sharks; Bronze – Drummoyne Devils

Player of the Series - Samantha Mitchell (Cronulla Blue); Leading Goal Scorer – Kristy Donkin (Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers); Goal Keeper - Maddison Nusdorfer (Cronulla Blue)

14's Supreme

Cronulla sent 3 boys girls and 2 girls’ teams to a very hot Tamworth weekend. All teams performed well over the weekend with each team consistently making improvements and securing some great wins. The Boys Blue Team won gold and the Girls Blue Team won gold and went through the tournament undefeated.

 

The 14 Blue girls had one of the tougher pools which meant some harder games during the rounds which set us in good steed for the playoffs.

After an inspirational pep talk from Kerry Turner the girls came out all guns blazing in the final to secure an early lead over Drummoyne. The girls continued to dictate play and rise throughout the game to convincingly win the game 9-4. This win is a testament to the amount of talent we have within our junior members and the dedication of every player in this team.

Congratulations to Samantha Mitchell who was awarded MVP and to all the girls who made TAP and development squads.

Thank you to all the parents for your assistance and support over the weekend, you all helped achieve this fantastic result. We can’t wait for Nationals.

The 14 Blue boys started the tournament a bit slowly, but as the games went on the boys started to play some really good ‘team’ water polo. After finishing 2nd in our pool we found ourselves playing Parramatta in the playoffs. This was the game we started to build our confidence with a solid 15 – 2 win, which saw us having to return to the pool at 8am on Sunday for a game against the hot favourites Drummoyne Red.

After a great bonding session we started off strong and eventually took the game in the third quarter with a rewarding 6 – 0 lead and eventually wining 9 – 3 to see us progress to the Semi finals against Breakers.

Another solid performance saw us win 11 – 4 to earn our place in the final against Alstonville. We came out all guns firing against Alstonville and leading 5 – 0 at half time. Alstonville produced some impressive water polo to come back to 6 – 4 before the last quarter. The boys held their nerves and finished the game winners 9 – 6.

Col Smee

 

Recently the U20's Cronulla boys competed in the U20 Col Smee Tournament at Parramatta pool on the 17th, 18th, 19th December.

The boys played well and were very competitive coming up against some well drilled teams and talented individuals. Well done to all who participated! Thank you to Glenn Simpson for assisting with the coaching and Chris Brooks for managing the boys. Congratulations to Blake Buckley, Sam Baraket and Sam Cocokios who were selected in the NSW U20's squad. It was Captain Luke Brbot's last year competing in the tournament. U18's Championships coming up February 4th-6th at Parramatta pool. Final Result 5^th Coach: Chris Batty

 

Sharks Futurama

On Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th of January two Cronulla teams participated in an Invitational 12 years and under Water Polo Tournament at Dawn Fraser Baths, Balmain(Playing at the Dawn Fraser Baths was in itself an experience that will never be forgotten by the children) Cronulla played teams from Tamworth, UNSW Wests, Balmain and Barbarian teams. The Tournament was very well organised and of a very high standard. We would like to thank Ann-Marie Miranda and her Committee for the outstanding job they did.

The Cronulla Gummy Sharks Team was entered in a younger division. They made the finals and were runners up in that division going down in a hard fought battle to the Tamworth Tigerlillies, 6 - 3.  A great effort!

The Cronulla Sharks Team went through the Tournament undefeated. They played eight games over the two days then won the Final against UNSW Wests 9-7. A very close and hard fought final showing the exceptional skills of boys in both teams. I would like to congratulate both teams for they fine effort and for the way they conducted themselves displaying good sportsmanship both in and around the pool. They were fine young ambassadors for the Cronulla Club. Congratulations boys on your fantastic achievement!

Back row : Keelan Milinkovic, Daniel McStravick, Ryan Greer, Jet Turner, Jed McStravick, Kylie Spencer (Coach)
Front row : Patrick Gibbons, Boyd Spencer, Matt Sparks, Andrew Condos, Declan Spencer

 The Small Gummies

Around the world

"Academy" opens a "Window to the World of Water Polo" - Maddie & Kristyn - representing Australia U18s European Tour.

Holly and Ziggy with their Silver medal and “C” ronulla

Australia’s dreams of retaining its FINA World Cup women’s water polo crown in Christchurch August 22 were dashed when a very alert America came out fighting from the start. In an incredible game, the world and world league champion USA suffocated the Aussie Stingers in the first half, winning the first two quarters 3-0 and finishing 6-3 ahead. It wasn’t until Nicola Zagame sparked the Stingers into action at the start of the third quarter that a glimmer of hope remained in the camp. However, at 6-2 heading into the final quarter the writing was on the wall and head coach Greg McFadden was left lamenting what could have been.

 

Thank You Brew Falson

 

Bruce has had an association going back 21 years with NSW Water Polo, to 22nd November 1989 - he has now finished working with NSW Water Polo. Before Bruce started employment as Coaching Director with NSW Water Polo he was involved as a volunteer coaching NSW woman’s representative teams.

A staggering 24 teams over 14 years and nearly all teams won the tournament they played in. Bruce was a very understanding and knowledgeable coach and was able to readily empathise with his charges to bring out the best in them.

Bruce was responsible to the development of the NSWWPI Coach Education Program and drew on a vast range of resources when presenting the course. Feedback received from participants of courses conducted by Bruce was always positive, with the new coaches inoculated with an appreciation that the game of Water Polo is for the player’s enjoyment. Since AWPI has developed the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme Bruce has presented this course with the same passion he has always held for the sport. At international level as a coach Bruce excelled, coaching the Australian Junior women’s team over a thirteen-year period. The results were;

1995 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Saint Fe 2nd Place

1997 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Prague 2nd Place 1999 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Messina 1st Place

2001 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Perth 2rd Place 2003 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Calgary 6th Place

2005 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Perth 3rd Place 2007 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Porto 1st Place  (unable to attend because of a leg injury)

Appointed to the position for 2009 but ultimately withdrew himself on health grounds. 

In all that time Bruce lost about 6 games only as an Australian Coach, a remarkable achievement in the international arena. Bruce was remarkable for spotting talent and developing athletes through the junior ranks into senior National Teams and his knowledge of the game and scouting of opposition teams could not be faulted. 

New South Wales Water Polo and Australian Water Polo wish Bruce every success with his future endeavours.

Bruce intends to keep himself involved with the sport, especially coaching his beloved Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.

Australian All Schools Championships

Last month the Girls NSW All Schools won the Girls Australian All Schools Championships at Woy Woy Aquatic Centre. NSW consisting of four Sharks National League Players (Maddy Schmid, Emily Car, Michaela Davies and Jess Brookes) went through the championship undefeated beating Queensland 10-5 in the final. Maddy Schmid was named player of the Championship. Maddy was also named, along with Emily Car and Michaela Davies in the Australian All Schools Team to tour Europe at the end of the year finishing with a test series in NZ. The successful team was also managed by the tireless Shark, Sandra Holden.

The NSW Boys were runners up losing to Victoria in the final by one goal. Sharks Nic Bbot was a member of this team and was also name as a reserve for the Australian School boys Team

In other news from the Academy, Kristyn Watkin was named in the Aussie Born 93 squad.

Women's National League Team finishes 4th

 

 

After finishing the normal season in

5th Place

the girls were faced with a tough draw to the final. Who would have dreamed that they’d draw 10-10 with Barracuda’s on Tuesday morning and then back up a few hours later to defeat a fresh KFC Breakers 11-9. They then went on to win their group.

They lost the Semi to Barracuda’s on Thursday so had to playoff on Saturday for Bronze against Fremantle. After a slow start our girls hit their straps but the clock beat them and they went down 11–9 to finish the season in 4th position. Nicola Zagame was named in the 2010 All-stars Team, and also along with Patrice O’Neal in the Stingers Squad.

Congratulations to Alicia McCormack, Bob Bryant and the Players for a fantastic season.

Sports Luncheon Hugh Success

 

On the 16th April Cronulla Sharks Water Polo Club held their annual Sports Luncheon at the Georges River Sailing Club. It was a very successful afternoon raising funds for the Club and the Violet Foundation. Jon Harker was the MC and interviewed many special guests throughout the afternoon including Emma (Winter Olympian) and Holly (Australian Water Polo rep) Lincoln-Smith, Mieke Cabout (Sharks import and Olympic gold medallist), Greg McFadden (Olympian and Australian Women’s Coach), Brendan Gan (Sydney FC midfielder) and John Coates (AOC President). The crowd was also treated to a very entertaining segment with the Gold Gold Australia Gold, Norman May. Congratulations to Janine Kerr for a very well organised event and thank you to Kemp Strang for their continued corporate support. Make sure you don't miss this wonderful event next year.

 Holy and Emma Lincoln Smith being interview by Jon Harker

Silver at Nationals

Congratulations to the U14 Boys who took out the Silver Medal at the recent National titles. This is to go with their Gold Medal from State. This is a fine team of the future who was coached by National League Players Emma Hamilton Foster and Nic Watkins,,, Well done.

Holly stands out in FINA World Championships

Sharks player Holly Lincoln-Smith was recently named Australian Player of the FINA World Championships and Australian player of the tour. Nicola Zagame and Alicia McCormack also featured as Player of the match in games during the tour.

Nicola Zagame was named player of the match against South Africa after scoring 5 goals. Holly Lincoln-Smith (above) named player of the FINA World Championships.  Alicia McCormack was named player of the match against Greece and Hungary in a Test Series.

Academy Shines

 

Four Sharks players namely Jess Brooks, Kristyn Watkins, Lara Turnbull and Michaela Davies were an integral part of the NSW Blues Under 16 Girls team that captured the Pelorus Trust U18 Women’s Trophy when they beat the Marist U18 team 9-6 in the final at West Wave in Auckland. The girls were undefeated in the Tournament including beating the New Zealand Youth Team. Congratulations girls. Sharks Mel Forrester and Elysha Vom Brush competed in the NSW Waratahs. Cronulla also had 6 boys in the Waratahs (Dillon Turner, Nick Brbot, Cameron Bartlett, Blake Penny and Toby) and one in the Blues (Sam Baraket). Sam was also very proud in being named Captain of the Blues and also Captain of the squad. The Blues won 3, lost 2 and 2 draws.

Four Sharks girls namely Maddy Schmid, Jade Appel, Christina Riley and Zoe Barber were members of the NSWCHS Under 15 Girls who took back the Trans Tasman Under 15 Girls Shield with a 3 nil series win over the NZ Under 15 Girls. Cameron McDowell and Liam Thickett also competed in the boys series.

Cronulla Sharks U14 boys and U14 Girls dominated NSW teams at the East Coast Challenge held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre last month.Eleven Cronulla players were in NSW teams and all 11 swam away with a medal against the Queensland, Victorian and South Australian sides. Mackenzie Moores-Sipos, Amy Graetz and Bianca Smith won Gold for the girls' Blues side against Queensland 9-6 in the Final match. While fellow boys Sam Cocokios, Zac Hughes, Nicholas Brooks and Mathew Schweighoffer also defeated Queensland Maroon 7-3 in the Final to collect their Gold medal.

Sports Luncheon Success

On the 1st May Cronulla Sharks had their annual Sports lunch to raise funds for the National League Teams and The Violet Foundation. It was Sport for Sports Sake which entailed sharing stories with many past Olympians including Gavin Woods, Craig Stevens, Zoe Uphill, Alicia McCormack, Mia Santoromito, Jenna Santoromito, Nikita Cuffe. John Harker was MC for the day and John Coates AC AOC President was a special guest. More than 170 people attended with many bidding for some superb prizes such as a signed Australian League Jersey and Sunshine Coast Holidays. Thanks to all the people involved in the organisation of an entertaining afternoon. If you missed it this year make sure your mark it in your calendar for next year.

John Harker interviewing Gavin Woods, Craig Stevens and Tim Rapp

Leader Awards Night

 

Leader Junior Team Award - 2008 

 This award was won by the U14 Cronulla Water polo Team which was:
Elysha vom Bruch, Jayde Appell, Maddy Schmid, Joanna Kondos, Sam  Barnes, Brittany Mitchell, Renee McLennan, Georga Meades, Kristina Riley, Ebony Barnes and coached by Peter Schmid
The girls went through the Summer season undefeated winning the Metro  Competition, State Competition and National Title. 

 

Leader Senior Encouragement Award - 2008

This was won by Mia Santoromito who won a bronze medal in Water polo at  the Beijing Olympic Games.  Australia defeated Hungary in the bronze  medal match 12-11 in penalty shoot out after the scores were locked at  seven-all.  Mia shot the winning goal.
Mia and Jenna Santoromito and Alicia McCormack presented Elli Graf with the Junior Runner Up Award

 

Metro And State Champions

 

 

On the 27th 28th and 29th of March four Cronulla Sharks Teams played in the NSW U16 Girls Club Championships at Wollongong. The ‘Cronulla A’ team became the State Champions after defeating Drummoyne 9-6 in the final. Leading up to the final the Cronulla team scored 98 goals whilst only conceding 3. Player of the final was Sharks goal keeper Michaela Davies and player of the Championships was Sharks driver, Maddison Schmid. The Sharks also recently won the Metropolitan Championship going through the whole season undefeated.

The U16 Girls now join the Sharks U14 Boys who also completed the double after winning the State Club Championship in January and winning the Metropolitan Championship last Wednesday after defeating Sydney Northern Beaches 7-2 in the Grand Final.

The General and his Army

After a fantastic season, the U14B's, Mako Sharks didn't disappoint on Wednesday night at Sydney University against Parramatta.  They won 14-3.  What a fantastic result.  The team was coached by Daniel Mackenzie (The General, pictured in the middle at the back) and managed by Mark Churi & Murray Turner. There is no doubt we will see plenty more from the General's Army in the future. Well done boys. 

Stars of the Future

Gunnamatta All Stars U/9's

Trent Loughnan, Mark Brbot, Eoghan Wright, Anais Chamberlain, Daniel Kerr, Rowan Chamberlain

U11 Angel Sharks 2009 Winners 

 

20 and Under National Championships

Several Cronulla players represented NSW in the recent Aussie 2009 U20 Championships held at SOPAC in Sydney. Nicola Zagame and Emma Hamilton Foster playing for the Blues were triumphant in winning the gold medal beating Queensland in the final. Nicola was awarded highest goal scorer for the tournament. The Waratahs’ Mia Corbett and Elyse Nicholson won bronze after beating WA in an extra time nail biter.

 

Gold for Nicola and Emma

 

Maddie Schmid, Jayde Appel and Michaela Davies also competed in this Championship in the U17 Australian Crocodiles Team

 

Cronulla A under 14 Boys are crowned NSW State Champions

Congratulations to the Cronulla A under 14 Boys Water Polo team who were crowned NSW State Champions at the recent State Championships.  The boys played a total of 8 games and remained undefeated.  The Grand Final against a very strong Newcastle side went into extra time after being 9 all at full time. The Sharks held their nerve and ran out winners 11-10, in what was an absolute ripper of a game.

 

Zach Quinn, Keegan Wicken, Nicholas Brooks, Rhys Holden, Zach Hughes, Angus Lambie, Lachlan Greer, Matthew Schweighoffer, Sam Cocokios (back Row), Dylan Holden, Harry Flint (front Row).

Australia v Galatasaray Water polo match

 

On Friday 2nd January 2009, The Sharks Water Polo Club and Sutherland Leisure Centre successfully hosted an Australia v Galatasaray Water polo match. A good crowd showed up to see a young Australian team (due to many players OS) take on the famous Galatasaray (Champions of Turkey). Galatasaray are part of the huge European Sports Club who is also well known in the Soccer World. Australia’s own Harry Kewell even played for them. Even though Australia got off to a good start the visitors wrestled back to 5-5 at half time.

   In the second half Australia stepped up a gear and thanks to Anthony Martin’s authority in the middle of the pool, slowly got the upper hand. Australia eventually drew to a 3 goal lead allowing the coach to give Sharks guest Goalkeeper (and Senior Club Captain), Mitchell Scott some pool time. 

   The loudest cheer of the night was reserved for the announcement of his inclusion. Even though Mitch’s time was limited he still managed to keep a clean sheet and bragging rights for a long time. Final score Australia 11 Galalatasaray 8

 

Xmas Party at the Spiritual home of Water polo

 

On Sunday 21st December the Sharks held their Xmas Party at the Spiritual home of Water polo, The Glorious Gunnamatta Bay.

For the young (and not so young, Pookie) there was face painting, clowns and magic tricks. For the older ones there was the “Pookie Bear Christmas Plate” which was contested between teams of mixed ages and gender accompanied by professional commentary thanks to Chris Batty.

Many kids from the Academy got to play against, or with, Olympic medallist, Alicia McCormack and other National League stars. Later in the afternoon Santa made an appearance with a couple of familiar helpers.

Australia has claimed the bronze medal

Congratulations Jenna, Mia, Macca, Greg and the rest of the team on your Bronze Medal.

Australia has claimed the bronze medal in women's water polo after beating Hungary in a thrilling penalty shootout.
The Aussies were trailing for most of the game, at one point down 5-2, before finally bringing the scores back to level and managing to go one for one with the Hungarians until the final buzzer at 7-7.The Australians were the first to score in extra-time, before Hungary levelled moments later to take the score to 8-8.

With 11 seconds to play in the first period of extra time, Australia took advantage of a well-timed time out from coach Greg McFadden to score and take a 9-8 lead before the final extra-time term. The lead wasn't to last, with Hungary striking back with less than 30 seconds to go, forcing the game into a penalty shoot out. Hungary took the lead 1-0 after two attempts from each team, but the Stingers again fought back to win the penalty shootout 3-2.