Former Australian captain Nathan Thomas ran an impromptu clinic on Sunday morning. Around 25 young aspirants attended the two hour session, where fitness was one of the focuses.

“Traditionally and understandably with water polo there is a big swimming focus,” Thomas.

“That is a really big component, but the other big component and big focus is on leg work.”

The two-time Olympian has retained a strong involvement in the sport since his representative retirement. He still plays “although not every weekend” and coaches, with daughters Nioka and Zoe sharing his love of water polo. And talent it seems, with Nioka the player of the tournament at the recent State U14s Championships.

Part of a golden era for the sport in Tamworth, Thomas said having a strong group of rep players, such as Tamworth does at the moment, creates a good nucleus and someone for the young kids coming through to look up to, like he had.

He also spoke of the work done by WPNSW Country Director Gail Salter and the WPNSW board to create more pathways for country players. 

“The talent is there,” Thomas said.

It’s a matter of tapping into and developing that, Thomas recalling when the seed of ambition was planted for him. It was a clinic run by four-time Olympian Andrew Kerr.

“That was in my mind when I decided I was going to play for Australia,” he said.