The invincibles – Water Polo 1sts 2022 was another successful season for the Newington Water Polo program. It may have started without spectators, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of any of the Newington teams. Everyone was incredibly excited to get back into the pool for competition during Term 1 and I believe we all really jumped at this opportunity. It has truly been outstanding to be back at the pool on a Saturday, playing other schools and supporting fellow Newington teams. Despite being shortened, the Newington 1sts had an outstanding season, representing the college with pride, respect and integrity. Our success in the pool is a result of a Sports program that teaches team camaraderie and emphasises the importance of hard work and commitment. The Water Polo 1sts finished the 2022 season as undefeated GPS champions for the fifth straight year. It has been a privilege to captain the team this season. Mr Ryan Goldschmidt Captain of Water Polo Alex Coombe-Swanson on the attack for the 1sts against St Augustine’s. A tribute to two of Water Polo’s best Andrej Grgurevic Andrej was the Newington College 2021 Captain of Water Polo and led our 1sts team to two comprehensive, undefeated premiership wins in one season. Under his guidance and with his influence in the pool, the Newington team dominated the Combined Schools (CAS/ GPS) and AAGPS competitions. This season’s success was built on two previous, equally successful seasons with Andrej being a major influence on all three seasons from 2019–2021. Beyond school, Andrej was in the Australian Junior and Senior Men’s water polo squads whilst in Year 12. Over the months leading up to the Toyko 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), Andrej was a regular member of the Aussie Sharks training group and an integral part of the team’s preparation for the biggest event in the international sport calendar. Andrej made his senior international water polo debut in March 2022. Since graduating from school, Andrej was selected as a member of the Aussie Sharks and made his senior international debut at the age of 18 in the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Peru in March 2022, where the team picked up a silver medal Thomas Oates Thomas was the backbone of the 1sts Water Polo premiership team being voted by coaching staff as the MVP. His work ethic helped our team secure silverware. Thomas was also a standout in the GPS Water Polo team in their resounding victory over the CAS and other association teams at the CIS trials. Thomas was also an outstanding swimmer at the College, setting six Newington Records (three short-course and three long-course) and one AAGPS record in 2021, and winning the Jeff Snare Trophy for the Spirit of Swimming. Thomas Oates was integral to the Newington Water Polo program in 2021. 24 | Curiosity |News Autumn 2022 | Stanmore 7–12