Recapping Women's Water Polo's Australia Trip
1/27/2023
The Brown women’s water polo team began 2023 with a preseason training trip to Australia from January 9-19. While on the trip, the team was able to train, participate in community service, sightsee and play two games.
“I want to thank everyone who helped make this trip possible, as it was an amazing experience for our student-athletes,” said head coach Felix Mercado. “One of the hallmarks of our University is the undergraduate student experience, and I believe that this trip underscored that as our men and women were able to engage, not only in training and building team chemistry, but also in community service.”
Wednesday, Jan. 11
After the 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, the team took time to adjust to the time change spending the day sightseeing at the beach before spending the night with a cruise around Sydney Harbor.
Day 1 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3j6EM6m
Thursday, Jan. 12
On the second day, the Bears got in the pool for the first time with a morning training session. The team spent the afternoon taking a jet boat tour around Sydney Harbor
“For the women, they trained in preparation for our upcoming season, it was the little things that made this trip truly special,” said Mercado. “Seeing our senior class step up and take the lead was one of those things. This senior class has had to go through so much to get to where they are today. They endured having a season and a half taken from them due to Covid, and everyday they came into each training session with an eagerness to learn, to lead by example, and to make each day count.”
Day 2 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3jcE2fU
Friday, Jan. 13
Day three began with another morning training session for the Bears at the Short School. During the afternoon, the team was able to tour the Sydney Opera House before spending the night walking the Chinatown night market.
Day 3 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3wALd4M
Saturday, Jan. 14
Brown’s first game of the trip came on the fourth day against Sydney University. Before playing the game, Brown spent the morning with a weight training session. After lunch the Bears trained and took on Sydney University in a competitive matchup.
Day 4 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3Hyc6wh
Sunday, Jan. 15
The Bears began the fifth day with an interesting experience getting to train with Cronulla Water Polo Club in the open ocean at Gunnamatt Bay Baths. After training, the team was able to learn about and get first-hand experience with local animals at the Symbio Wildlife Park. The Bears finished the day with a game against Cronulla, this time in a pool.
Day 5 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3Yl0baX
Monday, Jan. 16
Morning training started day six of the trip before the Bears participated in community service at the Berry Island Reserve. At Berry Island the team helped restore natural habitats by removing invasive plants, spreading mulch and planting local plants.
“Our time spent helping to restore the natural environment at the Berry Island Reserve was a true highlight of the trip, as the both teams were excited to be able to lend a hand at preserving this beautiful island, even after a hard training session,” said Mercado. “Afterwards, we were able to learn the history of Berry Island and its importance as a gathering place for the Aboriginal people.”
Day 6 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3HfGE4I
Tuesday, Jan. 17
The next day featured another morning of training before the team spent the afternoon hiking in Royal National Park.
Day 7 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3XKusjj
Wednesday, Jan. 18
On the final day of the trip, the team spent the morning training before taking the last afternoon in Australia to enjoy Manly Beach. After soaking up the sun, the team spent the evening at the Australian Museum and took a deep dive into the shark exhibit.
Day 8 Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/3Dksxd8
“This trip has been wonderful for our teams, both in and out of the water,” said Mercado. “Its impact will be felt, not only throughout our season, but also throughout these women’s careers here at Brown. Thank you again to those who made it possible.”
