Wodonga Water Polo Club has begun a long road to recovery.
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The proud community was stripped bare after the closure of Wodonga’s outdoor pool in 2012 as the new Waves facility was being built.
Despite being the only Wodonga club, a number of players left the outfit to play at rival Ovens and Murray Clubs or walked away from the game all together during that year.
Wodonga went from fielding teams men’s and women’s teams in every senior and junior grade in the competition, to having just one women’s team in B grade last summer.
A new committee has come on board, led by president Natalie O’Neill, with the plan of building the club back up to the success it once had, starting with the development of its junior base.
“When Waves opened we had the best facilities, but didn't have the club to go with the facilities,” O’Neill said.
“Previously we've had people playing in under 14s country Australia teams and playing at really high levels.
“Without juniors, no club can function at all.”
O’Neill said the club’s three to five-year plan is to get back to having an A grade men's and A grade women's team in the Ovens and Murray competition, as well as all junior grades.
However, the immediate goal is to field a B grade ladies team and a C grade men's, as well as one junior boys and girls team.
Wodonga Water Polo Club has restarted its Flippaball program at the Wodonga Sport and Leisure Centre to give youngsters the opportunity of trying water polo.
“The Flippaball program is for under 12s over winter to try and encourage people to think of it as an all year sport,” O’Neill said.
“You don't need to be a strong swimmer to play Flippaball because we play in the shallow end of the pool and the kids are allowed to stand up and use two hands.”
Wodonga is also on the hunt for a new club coach to help drive its development.
Former Australian player Andrew Gott held down the top job prior to the closing of the Wodonga pool.
The club is hopeful of getting someone with A-grade experience to take on the role.
Overall, the response has been positive with O’Neill revealing the club will have enough numbers to field two ladies teams next season, whilst also being on track to field a C grade men’s team in the senior competition.
“When the club was really strong, it was a really strong community, there was a huge range of ages and everyone was really supportive of each other and we want to bring that back,” she said.
“The club has held steady with numbers, but as a competition, it's better for the O and M if the clubs are stronger and they're fielding more teams.”