Former Australian Olympian rekindles water polo flame in the Pilbara’s red dirt-lined pools

They say you never forget your first love and for Hedland local and former Australian Olympic athlete Victoria Bolzan, that love was and still is water polo. Born and bred in rural Victoria, Bolzan, pictured, made the move to Hedland in August last year, making a home away from home at South Hedland Aquatic Centre where she competes in the water polo association’s women’s tournament. The former Olympian started playing water polo at the age of 16, joining her school team where she was coached by the Australian Water Polo women’s manager. With her encouragement Bolzan progressed rapidly through the sport, playing in her first State and National competition in the same year. Despite a devastating leg injury at the end of 2010 and being diagnosed with a debilitating illness, a determined Bolzan fought hard to join the senior team in February 2012 and ventured to the London Olympics. Bolzan said although she struggled through injury which threatened her career, she looked back on her time in the pool with fond memories. “The Olympics for me was a little bit of a bittersweet experience but it was still the most amazing experience,” she said. “Nine years on and I still look back on it really, really fondly.” After her Olympic stint she moved to Perth with plans to retire but a chance encounter with a coach at her local swimming pool reinvigorated her love for the game and encouraged her to keep playing. Bolzan said Hedland Water Polo Association gave her the opportunity to continue to play the sport she loved. “To move to a very remote town in Australia and have water polo here was just such a massive bonus for me,” she said. “I had a bit of a chuckle when I walked in to the swimming pool because you are surrounded by the red dirt you’re in the middle of nowhere and I think here is an amazing water polo competition....I just love it.”