BANANA BOWL BLITZ: Narrabri Dolphins youngsters excel at Coffs Harbour water polo tournament

Four of Narrabri’s youngest water polo talents recently returned to town with gold medals and unforgettable memories following a remarkable undefeated campaign at the 2026 Coffs Harbour Banana Bowl water polo tournament across the weekend.

Representing the Narrabri Dolphins were Lucy Booby, Tilly Varcoe, Lachlan Dunn and Harry Dunn, who combined with four girls from Easts (Newcastle) and nine-year-old Lucas Byers from Taree to form a composite side aptly named the NarraBeasts.

What began as a blended regional team quickly became one of the standout combinations of the under-12s tournament.

The NarraBeasts faced quality opposition from established programs, including Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Alstonville, Tamworth and Lake Macquarie, providing a true test of their skill, fitness and teamwork.

Across nine demanding round matches played across two days on Saturday and Sunday, the team demonstrated exceptional consistency, composure and maturity well beyond their years.

A defining feature of their campaign was their ability to transition from defence to attack quite quickly. Strong body positioning and disciplined defensive pressure created repeated turnovers, which were immediately converted into swift counterattacks, while crisp, pinpoint passing through the middle of the pool regularly opened space in front of goal, allowing teammates to finish with confidence.

The NarraBeasts’ communication in the water and their willingness to back each other up defensively proved just as important as their attacking firepower.

After navigating the round fixtures without losing a game, the Narrabri players and their teammates carried significant momentum into the finals.

Their semi-final performance was dominant from start to finish, shutting out their opponents Alstonville 12-0 in an effort that combined relentless defence with clinical finishing.

The grand final presented a sterner challenge, but the NarraBeasts remained composed under pressure as they controlled the tempo and went on to secure a well-earned 9-5 victory over Coffs Harbour to complete a tournament sweep.

Beyond the impressive scorelines and efforts, the Banana Bowl weekend was about far more than results. The young athletes built strong friendships across clubs, they embraced the representative experience, and they showcased the depth of junior water polo talent emerging from regional areas.

For Narrabri’s players in particular, competing and winning against well-established coastal programs provided a huge confidence boost.

The Dolphins’ club president Todd Dunn told The Courier that the Banana Bowl triumph marks an exciting milestone for Narrabri’s under-12s, highlighting the strength of the club’s junior development and the dedication these players are bringing to training each week.

“With momentum firmly on their side, the future looks bright for these young Dolphins as they continue to grow in skill, teamwork and belief,” he said.