Gold for Amelie at national titles

Published 3:30pm 9 October 2023

Words by Nick Crockford

Pictured above: Amelie Hoefel in action at the National State titles for Queensland Maroon. Picture Anastacia Kachalkova

Redcliffe State High School student Amelie Hoefel struck gold and brought home a national title from Canberra.

Hoefel, who lives on the peninsula, was part of the Queensland Maroon 15 and Under girls’ water polo team which triumphed at the National State Championships late last month.

In the gold medal match Queensland Maroon beat NSW Blue 11-7 in their closest game of the tournament to claim the national crown.

The Queensland players received their medals from Taryn Woods OAM, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games water polo gold medallist.

Amelie Hoefel after receiving her gold medal from Olympic champion Taryn Woods

Mueller College student Tian Markart won a bronze medal with Queensland Maroon 17 and Under boys’ team, beating West Australia Gold 11-8 for third place.

Markart was also named most valuable goalkeeper of this age division and was presented with his medal by current Aussie Shark Marcus Berehulak.

Grace Lutheran students Anabelle Clarke, Abbie McDonald and Mia Doyle also competed at the Australian Championship.

Annabelle Clarke played for Victoria in the 17 and under age division, while Abbie McDonald represented Queensland Gold in the same age group.

Tian Markart with his medal and current Australian international Marcus Berehulak

Mia Doyle, played for Queensland Gold in the 15 and under category and in a tight final went down to Western Australia in the bronze medal match 10-8.

At the end of the national championships Amelie Hoefel and Tian Markart were named to the National Age Group Program (NAGP) squad.

The girls NAGP squad stayed on at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra for a development camp, while the boys were in Sydney for their camp.

There is little rest for local players as the Brisbane water polo competition begins this week.

Amelie Hoefel and Anabelle Clarke play for Mermaids at Yeronga, Tian Markart for UQ, Mia Doyle and Abbie McDonald for North Brisbane Polo Bears at Albany Creek.

Anabelle Clarke, Abbie McDonald and Mia Doyle at the National State Championships

Girls 15 and Under Division: Gold - Queensland Maroon; Silver - NSW blues; Bronze - Western Australia; 4th - Queensland gold; 5th - NSW Waratahs; 6th - ACT; 7th - Victoria; 8th - Tasmania; 9th - South Australia

Girls 17 and Under Division: Gold - New Zealand; Silver - NSW Blues; Bronze - Western Australia; 4th - NSW Waratahs; 5th - Queensland Maroon; 6th - Queensland Gold; 7th - ACT; 8th - Victoria; 9th - South Australia

Boys 15 and Under Division: Gold- NSW Blue; Silver- Queensland Maroon; Bronze- NSW Waratah; 4th - Western Australia gold; 5th - QLD gold; 6th - Western Australia Black; 7th - Victoria; 8th - ACT; 9th - Tasmania; 10th - South Australia

Boys 17 and Under Division: Gold - NSW Blues; Silver - New Zealand; Bronze - Queensland Maroon; 4th - Western Australia Gold; 5th - NSW Waratahs; 6th - ACT; 7th - Western Australia black; 8th - Queensland gold; 9th - Victoria; 10th - South Australia