The Top 3 Tips from 3 Australian Water Polo Olympians
These guys are worth listening to...
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Olympians are the most talented athletes in the world, right?
Nope! Talent means natural ability. The skills and athleticism we are born with.
Olympians are the athletes who made the most of the talent they had.
Yes they’re talented, but what set them apart was their approach to getting better. It’s their obsession, determination, and willingness to learn. Things anyone can control.
I currently play water polo for the Drummoyne Devils in Sydney, Australia. Drummoyne has been home to an impressive number of Olympians over it’s 120 year history. Among those are my teammates Blake Edwards, Tyler Martin, and Aidan “AJ” Roach. I asked each of them what their best advice would be for aspiring players.
Here are the Top 3 Tips from 3 Aussie Water Polo Olympians!
Blake Edwards
Water Polo GOAT Pick: Felipe Perrone (BRA/ESP)
Blake is just coming off his 2nd Olympics, where he was the Co-Captain of the Aussie Sharks. From winning medals with Australia to claiming professional club championships worldwide, Blake's list of accomplishments goes on and on. On deck, Blake is known for being a competitive machine. There are few players as strong as him, and few players as fast as him. You’d be pressed to find anyone who can compete with him on both of those fronts. Blake may just be the most competitive person I’ve ever met.
Set goals, they will help you stay motivated and strive for improvement everyday.
Embrace curiosity, always be eager to learn and discover new and better ways to do things.
Challenge yourself, don’t stay in your comfort zone. Push your limits and chase down the best players in the pool. That will be your quickest path to improvement.
Tyler Martin
Water Polo GOAT Pick: Tamas Kasas (HUN)
Tyler represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as countless other international tournaments. He has played professionally in Italy, France, Hungary, and Brazil. These days, Tyler is better known for his endeavors since the Rio Olympics. He’s a serial business founder and father of two. Despite all of his responsibilities and advanced age (wink), he is still one of the best players in the entire Australian Water Polo League. Tyler’s story isn’t one of the prodigal player, instead he’s known for his relentless, will-not-be-denied mentality to competing and getting better.
PS if you like non-alcoholic cocktails, check out his business @ YesYouCanDrinks.Com!
Train hard and stay focused on your goals!
Learn how to learn. You can get something out of every practice and every coach. Be constantly curious about self improvement.
Go where you will be challenged. When I was 19 I knew Italy was the best league in the world, so I cold emailed the coach of a mid-tier team in the top division, signed a contract and went over. If you are the sum of experiences and environment, then you need make sure you have the best experiences/environment you can to achieve your goals.
Aidan “AJ” Roach
Water Polo GOAT Pick: Andrija Prlainovic (SRB)
AJ Roach is a three time Olympian (2012, 2016, 2020). Despite being the son of famous Aussie footballer “Blocker” Roach, AJ took to the pool instead of following his fathers footsteps. Since then he has built one of the longest international and professional resumes of any Australian Water Polo player. In addition to his cut-throat competitive nature, AJ is the smartest player I’ve ever been in the pool with.
Train harder than anyone else
Watch video, Youtube is an endless resource for getting better.
Keep going, at times you will doubt yourself but you can’t let anything stop you.
My favorite tip: Watch Video. Lot’s of young players don’t realize how much better they can get just by watching the game.
Hopefully, if you’ve finished reading this, you’re a young player who desperately wants to get better. Take their advice to heart and you can become as great a player as you want to be.
Thanks for reading!
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