Bunbury water polo player Jayden Horne has had a remarkable year in the pool.
The 18-year-old, for the second consecutive year, has signed on as part of the Dolphins Water Polo Club’s A-Grade men’s side, gearing up for the 2018/19 Water Polo WA summer season.
The pressure of competition has failed to intimidate Horne, with the athlete eager to showcase his talent.
“We are training every day of the week after work,” he said.
“We’re really hoping to come out of it being the best in the competition.
“We’ve got quite a good side this year, so I am hoping we can get through to the finals and take it out.
“I’ve got everyone at Bunbury Water Polo behind me, they have been behind me all the way.
“It’s truly great to have their support.”
Making the move from Bunbury to Perth, Horne divides his time between water polo and work as an apprentice auto-electrician.
Horne turned heads during his stint representing Western Australia at the 2018 National Country Championships in Rockhampton, Queensland earlier this year.
He excelled in the pool and aided his side throughout the tournament.
“It was great experiencing how the other states play water polo,” Horne said.
“It was good seeing the other opponents and how they strategise in order to win, it was good to have a crack at them.”
It is always great to be noticed, all of the hard work that I have put in to get where I am today has really paid off.
- Jayden Horne
Amy Sundercombe and Gilly Johnson also represented Bunbury during the event, helping the WA women’s side to claim the bronze medal.
After being spotted by selectors, Horne was picked to represent the 2018 Men’s Australian Country Team as a reserve.
Deemed too young to play for the side this year, Horne hopes to don the Men’s Australian Country Team colours in 2019.
A thirst for success courses through his veins, giving him the desire to one day represent Australia at the Olympic Games.
“It is always great to be noticed, all of the hard work that I have put in to get where I am today has really paid off,” Horne noted.
“My parents put in a lot of effort for me to get to where I am now.
“In previous years, they have driven me up to Perth for training sessions and matches to help improve my game.”
Visit the Dolphins Water Polo Club Facebook page or dolphinswpc.asn.au/ to track the A-Grade men’s side’s progress over Summer.
Bunbury Water Polo will hold its 2018/19 Summer Season Opener on Friday, October 12.
Head to the Bunbury Water Polo Facebook Page for more details about the group.
Read more:
