AJ Logan's still learning the game and he'll happily admit that, but the 10-year-old's seen more than enough in his short time in the pool to encourage any other youngsters to "definitely come and give it a go", simply because he's enjoying water polo so much.
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A rugby union star-in-waiting as well, Logan kicked off his career in Orange's Water Polo NSW Under-12 Festival campaign earlier this year before being drafted into the Canberra Water Polo Academy (CWPA) Dolphins side last month's Waterpolooza Festival too.
Getting more experience was the main drawcard and the youngster said "making new friends" was one of the highlights, but he was naturally thrilled his Dolphins side went on to win the Mixed Division title too, they beat the Gunnamatta Great White Sharks 11-3 in the decider.
Playing in the final was a new experience for me ... holding the trophy up at the end was so exciting.
- AJ Logan, on his experience at Waterpolooza
"I just wanted to see what it would be like to play in a tournament and have the experience of it," Logan said.
"We had been training for a while but not had many actual games. It was great fun meeting new people, and also really good to have some time in the water.
"Playing in the final was a new experience for me ... holding the trophy up at the end was so exciting.
"We didn't really expect to win so being in the pool at the final whistle when we won was great. We all swam over and congratulated each other and then our coach jumped in the pool too, that was pretty hilarious."
He took plenty out of the tournament from a development perspective too, soaking in the opportunity to play against and learn from more experienced players as well as the Dolphin's coach Lily Welling.
"Some of the things I need to get better at are just learning the rules, water polo is a bit of a stealthy sport, you need to avoid contact and find space. Also I probably need to get fitter," he said.
"I noticed the really good players talk a lot and move the ball quickly. They work well together and I guess that just comes from spending time together in the pool.
"We were lucky to have a good mix of experienced players and good swimmers which worked well. Our coach Lily was really helpful and she taught me to communicate and position myself better in the [pool].
"It's a fun sport with a lot of action. It tests your fitness a bit but ... it's a great way to get fit without really trying. Definitely come and give it a go, it's heaps of fun."
They're all aspects of his game he'll have plenty of opportunity to develop at Orange Aquatic Centre too, where there'll be an intense focus on increasing participation levels leading into next summer's season and beyond.
We're trying to get more programs in place for the 2019-2020 season, which would help provide them pathways as well.
- Sarah O'Gorman
Sarah O'Gorman has been appointed to manage all of Orange's programs, junior and senior, and that also coincides with the announcement the Under-12 Festival will return in 2020.
"We're really focusing on the grassroots level and trying to grow participation," O'Gorman said, specifically in the under-12 and under-14 age groups.
"There's huge potential for the sport in Orange because there are so many kids who swim, we want to be a hub for sport in the region, so we're trying to get more programs in place for the 2019-2020 season, which would help provide them pathways as well.
"I got news yesterday the Under-12 Festival will return in 2020 and we're keeping our fingers crossed for the year after that as well, which is a great extension of what we're hoping to build here."
It's not just junior development O'Gorman is focused on though, she's also hoping to continue the progress of the already-building senior competition too.
Part of that is trying to establish a Fast Fives competition over the winter period, which would provide interested players a chance to learn the sport and then potentially join a side next summer for the competition-proper.
Any interested players, junior or senior, can get in touch with O'Gorman on ssokol@orange.nsw.gov.au or call Orange Aquatic Centre on 6363 3000 and leave a message for her.
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