DESPITE a shaky start in the sport, water polo has become one of Nina Tomas’s favourite things to do.
The Seton Catholic College student, who is a member of the Melville Water Polo Club, will take her skills and growing love of the sport on the national stage, after she was chosen to represent WA in an upcoming national competition.
Nina said she loved the sport now, but she did not always feel this way.
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“It first started when I was crying in the car on my way down to my first flipper ball game. I hated the sport at first; I was never interested,” she said.
“I would try to find excuses to not go along because I hated it and never understood the rules.
“Playing water polo became my wind-down and leisure time. I don’t have to think about school or assessments, it’s a great way to socialise and become close friends and when playing you’re only thinking about the game, blocking out whatever is on your mind.”
Still “unsure” about being selected for the team and how she would juggle Year 12 study with training, Nina said she believed it was important to take opportunities like this when they arose.
“When you’re asked to represent the State, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you’re only young for so long,” she said.
A pair of locals will also be competing in the boys’ squad, with CBC’s Tex Sjerp and Rory Orells making the 13-man team.
The School Sports Australia water polo competition will be held in Queensland from May 21 to 26.