This month, we hear from long-time club member and Senior Women’s Goalkeeper, Bridget Layburn. Bridget has had an outstanding water polo career, representing New Zealand at the highest level. She is an incredible goalkeeper, a supportive teammate, and a role model for many within the club. Get to know more about Bridget below...

How long have you been playing water polo?

I started in year 7, back in 2012, so it’s been 13 years. 

What made you take up the sport? 

Growing up, my sisters and I were members of NSS. We all played a variety of sports, but one by one, we all took up water polo as we began intermediate. I think the plan was always for all of us to get into rowing. Dad was a bit of a triathlete, my brother cycled, and we seemed very much to be a race/endurance sport family. My sisters switched over to rowing, but I stayed with water polo. I think, largely, because I was stubborn, but also because of the people I met through North Harbour in year 8 Development Squad. 

What do you think is the most challenging part of the sport? 

Now that I’m older, I’m inclined to say the toll it takes on your body, physically. I’ve spent many years consumed by training, and it’s definitely challenging. However, I really think the most challenging part is the game IQ. Before I went and played overseas I thought I had a good grasp on the game, but playing College water polo in the States was an extremely educational experience. There was a ton of video analysis, and specifically drilled training, to read just one of a million circumstances in a defensive play. I don’t feel like you can get that game scenario understanding without playing a lot of water polo against a wide range of opponents. 

What is the most rewarding part of the sport for you?

I’d have to say coaching the younger generation. I’ve been very lucky to have had opportunities to coach at school, club, and national team levels. It’s amazing to see how much the sport has grown, how much more support it has nationally, and how enthusiastic the kids are. It’s also great to be able to pour my water polo knowledge into other people. Water polo takes up a lot of real estate in my brain, it’s nice to be able to use it for more than just my own training and playing. 

What has been your career highlight in Water Polo so far? 

My first senior World Champs in South Korea. We got to stay in an Athlete Village with all of the World Aquatics athletes from around the world. I was extremely nervous the whole time, but it will always be a favourite tournament of mine.  

Over the past month,  the announcement came that the quota for Women’s teams at the Olympic games has increased from 10 to 12 teams. What does this announcement mean to you as a NZ senior Women’s Player?

This announcement is huge. Since I started playing for the NZ women’s team in 2019, we’ve been climbing the ranks each year. Most recently, we placed 9th at World Champs in Doha. The increase from 10 to 12 teams is a motivator to keep believing that it’s possible for us to qualify.  We believed in ourselves in Doha, and we got so close. That was the first Olympics that it really hurt not to be there. I’ve been laughed at for dreaming of the Olympics, but now that we’ve proved ourselves, worked hard, and are comfortably within the top 12 teams in the world, it feels like we’re being taken seriously now. The expansion to include 12 teams doesn’t just make it feel possible, it feels plausible. 

We currently have our U16 Squads trailing and our U14 trials coming up. Do you have any tips for trialling and what advice would you give to these players?

It’s one thing to be good at something and it’s a whole other thing to love being good at something. Passion and work ethic are two things you can’t coach a kid to have. You don’t have to be the best player to be the most enthusiastic, or the one who never stops trying, or the one who pushes their teammates to become better. I was definitely not the best player at U14 and U16 level. I was, however, overly competitive and desperate to prove that I could work hard. You don’t need to be in the top team to be a great athlete or a great teammate. Those qualities will carry you through your athletic career. 

What do you enjoy most about being part of North Harbour Water Polo Club?

Well, I’m competitive, so I’ll say winning gold with the Hammerheads certainly never gets old. I look forward to National League every year.  There’s a sense of family at Harbour that I haven’t seen anywhere else, in our senior teams especially. We have a wide range of ages. Many of us started in the squad at 15, and as we’ve grown up, we’ve been able to welcome in the new wave of baby Hammies each season. It feels really special to be a part of a big group of people who all love water polo and enjoy each other's company. 

Article added: Thursday 29 May 2025