An Incredible Experience at FISU World University Games
I recently had the privilege of serving as an Assistant Coach for the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team at the FISU World University Games in Germany. It’s been an experience that has not only deepened my coaching journey but also shaped my leadership in both professional and sporting settings.
The level of professionalism of the program's coaching team ( Head Coach Rowie Webster and fellow Assistant Coach Scott Nicholson ) and the athletes was truly outstanding. It was inspiring to work alongside such talented and like-minded professionals, dedicated to helping these young women reach their full potential—not just as athletes, but surely as future leaders in and outside of the sport.
The opportunity to lead and help influence aspiring world-class athletes was one I’ll treasure. It taught me valuable lessons in mentorship, resilience, and the art of leading with empathy and clarity. I’m excited to take many learnings back to my own coaching, applying them to future campaigns and players with even more experience, insight and confidence.
A huge thank you to Water Polo Australia, and Stingers Head Coach Bec Rippon for the trust and opportunity to grow both personally and professionally across the 2025 World Cup Finals and the FISU World Uni Games. This experience has further shaped my coaching philosophy, and I’m eager to keep applying these insights as I continue to support and lead others into the future.
A massive thank you to my wife Nat Hoitz Pavanello, who's own water polo understanding, advice and ongoing support of my journey allowed me to focus on these campaigns, whilst being away from home for extended periods.
Here’s to the continued pursuit of excellence in every pool and every campaign for our coaches and athletes
Our Aussie UniRoos finished off the FISU World University Games in 6th position after a tight 14-13 loss to Japan. The Japanese, with their creative and high energy game plan came out hard and fast to take a strong 4 goal lead early in the game. Our Aussies held firm from there come back at the Japanese throughout the next three quarters. Once again we displayed some amazing Aussie fight, reducing the margin through great team work and exceptional finishing only to fall short on the final siren by the one goal. This concludes the tournament for our 2025 UniRoos team. So much to learn from this experience for our players and coaches, as well as the many positives that we can take into future campaigns. So proud of our players, and coaching team led by @rowiewebster , for everything we achieved over the last few months but most importantly for how we always went about it as “Team Australia”.
AUSSIES WIN: After a tough loss in the Quarter Finals yesterday to the USA, our UniRoos team bounced back. We came out firing in the first of the 5th-8th classification games, vs Turkey. A strong team performance had our Aussies finish on top with a comprehensive 24 - 6 win. Our UniRoos will now play for 5th position vs Japan who defeated Hungary in the other classification semi final of the FISU World Uni Games. GO AUSSIES!
FISU Water Polo Quarter Final Day: A tough and highly contested match vs USA went right down to the wire today. After a strong start by the USA who went up 5-1 early, our Australian Uni Roos showed great determination, fighting hard throughout the match to get to within a single goal of the US in the final quarter. Eventually the come back was a little too far off for the Uni Roos, with the USA holding on to a 10 - 8 final score! Classification round games start tomorrow morning with Australia 🇦🇺 vs Turkey 🇹🇷
Game 3 vs Hungary: after an “emergency evacuation” during final warm up and then an extended time indoors while we awaited the storm to pass, our Aussie UniRoos re gathered for a hard fought ‘top of the table’ clash against Hungary. A see sawing score line throughout the game ended up with narrow Hungary win 12-11. Lots of great moments and learnings throughout the game for our girls as we closed out the group stage of the tournament in second position.
We now move onto the Quarter Finals vs USA on Tuesday!
Our UniRoos team completed game two of the World Uni Games campaign with a convincing 22-10 WIN vs Turkey this morning.
Next game … vs Hungary, tomorrow night to close out the group stages.
GAME DAY: A hard fought 9 - 8 victory against hosts Germany in game one for our Uni Roos at FISU World University Games. Next up…Turkey on day 3 of comp.
Vikings NZ Tour Day 9: Finals day! Won a bronze medal ! Tough match coming home to finish the tournament with a win 8 - 7 vs Marist. Our Vikings girls played outstandingly to turn around a previous loss to Marist earlier in the week! They crushed it !!!
A celebratory visit to Te Mata Peak to get some stunning snaps at sunset 📸 Finally finished up with an amazing private cellar room team dinner at the famous Craggy Range Vineyard. Vikings doing in style! CONGRATS girls on an amazing tournament result 🥉!
Vikings NZ Tour Day 8: Two games today saw the girls come up against some strong opposition in the Marist and Atlantis clubs. Both were ready to make it a physical game which ultimately ended up in two losses by our Vikings girls. The loss vs Atlantis was the semi final.
Some great learning and development opportunities for our girls, and we look forward to bouncing back in the bronze medal match playoff tomorrow.
Following the water polo, the Vikings girls dressed up and we headed off to a beautiful dinner at Malo in Havelock North 😋
Vikings NZ Tour Day 7: Our girls defeated Harbour City 13 - 10 in the first game of the day - which took the team to top of our pool 💪. This then sent us through to the championship draw. We played our first placing game vs Atlantis this afternoon (which was loss to us). Another game tomorrow morning vs Marist will determine who our semi final game will be against.
Plenty of action to prepare for tomorrow, so a dessert run after dinner was clearly required tonight 🍨 🧁
