πŸ›’ Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! β†’
πŸ€‘ 10% off on selected briefs & merch πŸ€‘
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results

    National

    • Montenegro
      • Montenegrin League 2024/25
      • Montenegrin Cup 24/25
      • Montenegrin League 23/24
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 24/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 23/24
      • Qualifications
    • Slovenia
      • Slovenian League 24/25
      • Slovenian League 23/24
    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Women
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Men
    • Austria
      • Austrian League 2025 – Men
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Women
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Men
    • Lithuania
      • Lithuanian League ’24
    • Latvia
      • Latvian Championship 2024
    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Men

    International

    • SINGAPORE 2025
      • Women
      • Men
    • LEN Champions League
      • Men 24/25
      • Men 23/24
    • World Cup 2025
      • Men
    • AWL
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 2024/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 2023/24
      • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2024
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men
      • Paris 2024
        • Olympic Tournament – Men
        • Olympic Tournament – Women
    • World Championships
      • Doha 2024
        • Women
        • Men
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • VAL League 2024/25
    • Nordic League U16 2024/25
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
    • Masters Cup 2025

    Total Waterpolo Arena livescoring app: Stay in the game with real-time updates and stats for your next tournament.

    Contact Us
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpoloβ„’ Webshop

    • Webshop
    • Men’s Briefs
    • Women’s Suits
    • Apparel
    • Game Balls
    • About

    Partner up with Total Waterpolo, the leading international water polo network worldwide and take your team gear to the next level. Our products are made to endure the harshest conditions from pro leagues around the world to your local squad rivalries. We can't wait to join your team!

    Get Total Waterpolo for your Team
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017
CHL 24/25
Support Us

“Water Polo Attracts More Girls Than Boys” – Interview With Australia’s Bronwen Knox

April 12, 2018

While still under the impression of the Inter-Continental tournament’s final, we sat down with Australia’sΒ Bron Knox. Check out her comments on the final match against the USA and see what she thinks about water polo in general.

Congratulations on the silver medal, Bron! It was a hard game, and America was apparently prepared for you this time around. You scored one goal but also missed the last quarter. Australia had the game in their hands and then just stopped, what happened?

We had a great first half, but the second half let us down. We had around 16 exclusions to the US’s 5, seeing us have to defend a lot of extra-man opportunities. With the return of some of our other players from the USA (College water polo) and returning from injuries, we should have a solid squad this year.

Having only just returned to the team (first international tournament since Rio Olympics) I was happy with our performance. We made some great steps forward, and it is a positive start to our 2018 international season this year. We have a long road ahead, but the team is taking it step by step.

Meet Bronwen Knox

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your water polo childhood memories and your first contact with the sport?

My first contact with water polo happened when I was 14, watching the Women’s Gold Medal Match at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Being an avid swimmer, I was intrigued by the sport. I started out just playing games, and it wasn’t until I was 16 that I started training in the sport. Three Olympics later, I still loved being involved in the sport. I’ve been away for 12 months in the International Competition after Rio to concentrate on my law degree and professional development. I am enjoying being back training and playing with the Aussie Stingers.

When did you realize that water polo would be more than just a hobby in your life?

At 18 I realized there was a lot I could get out of playing water polo. I saw it as an avenue, not just for pursuing my dream to play for Australia, but also opened options for playing in the USA at college and playing in Europe.

Bron’s Career

Who were the coaches with the most significant impact on your career?

Sharon Arnold and Steven O’Keefe were the coaches that taught me the basics. Greg McFadden gave me my first shot in the senior team and continued to push me over the last 12 years.

Who were your idols, the players you looked up to during your water polo growth?

I was lucky to have one of the Sydney Gold Medallist, Naomi McCarthy (nee Castle), in my home club when I first started out playing water polo. She played the position I was drawn to (Centre Back), so it was great to learn directly from her. To this day we remain great friends, and I still seek her advice.

What has been the biggest achievement in your career so far?

Winning 2 Bronze Olympic Medals (’08, ’12), as well as Captaining Australia from 2013-2016 and playing over 340 international games.

Which was the toughest match you ever played?

Beijing Olympic Bronze medal match. It was the biggest game I had played to date. We came from behind to force extra time and then a penalty shootout.

Which defeat hurt the most?

Losing the quarter-final in the Rio Olympics. Having had great form heading into the games, it was a tough loss in the penalty shootout that saw us lose the chance at playing for the medals.

Water Polo in General

How do you see women’s water-polo generally in the world now?

Women’s water polo is constantly evolving. These days, there are about 8 or so teams that are always challenging each other. Seeing closer and tougher games. More games are decided by a single goal or a penalty shootout.

Since you are now playing in Australia Qld Breakers, could you tell us more about the local league? Who are the front-runners andΒ howΒ is it organized?

Our domestic national league has 11 teams across Australia, two of which are based in my city of Brisbane. We play everyone twice over approximately three months. The Top 6 head into a final series. This year has a number of strong teams based in Sydney. This season, my team is made up of a number of young players (approx. 17 years old), we are in a developing stage. Front-runners include teams of UNSW/Wests, Sydney Uni, Drummoyne Devils.

What are the differences between AustralianΒ water poloΒ and rest of the world’s, if there are any?

Unfortunately, in Australia, we are not that close to any neighboring national teams. Our closest competitors being China or the USA. This sees us spend lengths of time traveling overseas to help us train and prepare.

In your opinion, what should be done to make water polo more interesting to the spectators and especially to sponsors?

I think education is a significant barrier to making water polo more spectator friendly, especially in Australia. Most people haven’t heard of the sport or don’t understand the rules, and this leads to confusion about why a call goes one way and not the other. The better people understand the game and can follow along when watching, the more people will enjoy it.

By increasing the number of spectators, it will naturally be more enticing towards sponsors. Many athletes across all the teams have exciting stories to share about themselves – having avenues to highlight these can also help lift the profile of the athlete and the sport.

Do you feel that women’s water polo doesn’t have the same treatment as men’s?

There are definitely discrepancies between Men and Women within water polo, although there is progress to reduce these. Seeing the Women’s Olympic program add two more teams was an excellent step. In Australia, the National women’s team is generally in a better funding position than the men due to past performances. I am sure there is more that we can do to create an equal footing, but from my experiences in Australia, water polo is a sport that attracts more girls than boys, with girls outnumbering boys 2 to 1.

Future Plans

What are your plans and wishes for 2018?

I’m returning to the national team this year, and I hope to spend 2018 obtaining clarity about what I want out of my water polo career. Having spent 12 years playing for the national team, I want to make sure I am back for the right reasons. I want to continue to grow and develop as a player, and I hope to continue to push to a higher level.

Outside of the pool, I am in the final stages of obtaining my law degree, and I hope to continue to pursue this while still competing.

Can you name a few reasons why young girls should pick up water polo as a sport?

While growing up, water polo taught me a lot about myself and what I could possibly achieve. It gave me self-confidence and a voice. It taught me to stand up for myself and how to work within teams. I cannot imagine the person I would be without water polo. I think it offers much to young girls in ways of personal development. It teaches strength, determination, and cooperation.

And that’s about it! We would like to thank Bron for taking her time to discuss critical subjects in the water polo world, as well as commenting on the Inter-Continental tournament. Also, a few days ago, we talked to Keesja Gofers, Bron’s teammate β€” check out the interview here!

We will be having more interviews with people from the water polo world, so follow us onΒ TwitterΒ andΒ Facebook!

TW Press
TW Press

Related posts

Hrvoje Koljanin Photo by Slobodan Sandic/WPF of Serbia

August 30, 2023

Hrvoje Koljanin talks of a new adventure at Olympiacos


Read more

Unai Aguirre Photo: Total Waterpolo

July 12, 2023

Unai Aguirre: A lot of equality in quality, difficulty will be maximum


Read more

Strahinja Rasovic Photo by K.Vulovic/WPF of Montenegro

July 11, 2023

Strahinja Rasovic: Self-confidence is essential, we have to strive high goals


Read more

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US


Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

βœ•
  • 0
    [CONFIRMED] Alvaro Granados to Pro Recco
    June 13, 2025
  • World U20 Championships begin in Zagreb with eight medal contenders
    June 13, 2025
  • Croatia leads in new World Aquatics men rankings
    June 13, 2025
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Β© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT