Sydney Uni define the word 'TEAM' in 2014 Panasonic Pan Pacific Youth Festival...

This Sydney University Club show true team spirit and the essence of exactly what the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival is all about. This tournament is an opportunity for young players to experience something unique, something world class, something they might otherwise never get the opportunity to and this is exactly what it is all about for these kid's.

I had the privilege of spending a bit of time with Sydney Uni's coach  Lindsay Cotterill who was assisting with The Pirates, Cotterill says, "after 22 years of coming to this tournament I have never been disappointed. It is the best tournament of any sort that I have ever been to and I have been involved in a lot of sports." Lindsay's involvement goes beyond club water polo with the representation of his Son's in the Australian Water Polo representative sides. 

Lindsay's dedication to the sport and his passion and spirit from the side lines is what drives the Sydney University club to attend this event every 2 years. He is a clear advocate for the growth of Water Polo and ensuring participation at all levels are supported. It appeared extremely important to him that all players are able to gain a similar experience to those athletes that represent the country at a National level and that is exactly what they get at this tournament.

Along with Cotterill these boys' are motivated by two incredibly inspirational leaders who are extremely well respected in the Australian Water Polo Community. Lachlan Hollis and Patty O'Brien both recently underwent surgery for the removal of cancer. Lachlan, a prior Australian Senior Men's representative suffered from stomach cancer and despite doctors assuring them that he would not be able to continue his training, he chose to defy these odds and remain true to his dedication to the game. Cotterill says " Lachie is an amazing person and through all the chemotherapy and being told it was impossible to participate in an institute program he managed to continue fighting his way through. He is a miracle in terms of inspiration."

Patty, an 18 year old who participated in the 2012 Pan Pacific Games but was later diagnosed with bone cancer and has since been through 14 months of chemotherapy. Like Lachlan his passion and drive for Water Polo has enabled him the opportunity to come along and be an absolute role model for these boys' competing this year. Both these coaches have remarkably inspirational stories and through their personal adversities, have offered incredible motivation for everyone who is fortunate enough to cross their paths. "We consider ourselves very fortunate to have these boys' take our development team and they are doing an absolute amazing job." - Says Cotterill

You only have to take one look at either of these teams to know they have a community way about them Referee Phil Howat says to Cotterill after their final match "You have a great bunch of guys there." 

The spirit, teamwork and support each and every member showed towards one another is in my personal opinion EXACTLY what it is all about.

We look forward to seeing the Sydney Uni Club's 24th appearance in the 2016 Pan Pacific Festival.