Student Achievement : Henry Gangoiti

Representing Australia in U16 Water Polo

Henry Gangoiti in Year 10 is a member of the National Age Group Program U16 Men's Squad run by Water Polo Australia and has just returned after 2.5 weeks representing Australia in the U16 Men's Gold team tour to Los Angeles and San Diego in California, USA. 

 “This whole experience has been a game changer for me.  

In the first week we trained in LA with one of the US teams and then played in the National Club Championship for three days over the weekend.  

The second week we trained with a local LA Club against 04, 05 and 06 players and went to San Diego to compete in a West Coast tournament up an age group  in U18. That was tough competition, but I reckon I got some good saves.  

Our head coach William Downes (QLD) and assistant coach Mark Holden (NSW) were really supportive and gave me lots of tips that completely changed my game.  

We didn’t have much time for sightseeing, but we did get to watch the fireworks for the 4th July celebrations and the Bronze and Gold medal matches at the FINA Men’s Water Polo World Cup between USA vs Hungary and Italy vs Spain.  

Two and a half weeks was a long time to be away, but I enjoyed every minute and didn’t want it to end." 

Henry is now training with the Victorian Water Polo U17 team and will represent Victoria at the National State Championships in Sydney in September.