NSC 2026 Melbourne | That's a wrap for yet another great year!
What an incredible week it was in Melbourne as the 2026 National State Championships came to a close. From fierce competition in the pool to outstanding displays of sportsmanship, teamwork and state pride, the NSC showcased everything that makes our sport so special.
Athletes and teams from across Australia came together to represent their states with passion, determination and pride. Across every age group, the competition delivered exciting match-ups, standout performances and plenty of moments that had spectators on the edge of their seats. Beyond the results, the National State Championships provided an opportunity for athletes, coaches, officials, families and supporters to come together and celebrate the strength and spirit of Australian water polo.
Our Victorian teams showed resilience and determination throughout the week, with many hard-fought battles during the round games, demonstrating strong teamwork, tactical play, and steady improvement across the board.
A couple of standout moment for Victoria came from our 17&U Girls, who battled their way into the bronze medal playoff. In a hard-fought contest, the girls showed resilience, determination and plenty of fighting spirit, finishing the tournament in 3rd place with a strong performance against some of the best young athletes in the country. Their third-place finish is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the continued growth and development of our Victorian athletes and programs.
Another standout moment for Victoria came from our 17&U Boys, Jacob Hebden, who received the 2026 National State Championships Most Valuable Goalkeeper Award.
Results of the final game played on Saturday 3rd October :
A huge congratulations to all our Victorian Representatives and a heartfelt well done to every athlete, coach, official, and volunteer who made this tournament possible.
A special thank you to Water Polo Australia for their incredible hospitality and support throughout the Championships. We would also like to acknowledge the dedicated venue teams, officials, volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly and ensure a fantastic experience for athletes, coaches, families and supporters throughout the week.
We are proud to acknowledge the following Victorian athletes who received individual awards:
Division | Coaches Award | MVP Award |
U15 Girls | Mackenzie Wilson | Ivy Cale |
U15 Boys | Samuel Lewis | Lachlan Joseph |
U17 Girls | Eliza Parcell | Hannah Higgins & Serena Guerini |
U17 Boys | Gus Callaghan | Jacob Hebden |
Congratulations to each of these athletes for their outstanding performances and contributions throughout the tournament.
Until next time - thank you, Melbourne, for giving Victoria the home crowd and creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the 2026 National State Championships. Competing on home turf, surrounded by our families, supporters and wider Victorian water polo community, made this Championships particularly special.
We can’t wait to see you all again next year!
WPV Team
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