Coach of the Australian Women’s Canoe Polo Team since 2018, Rebecca Jennings is well known throughout the tight-knit Canoe Polo community as a significant contributor to the sport in Australia.
After growing up in the country where she had only dabbled in paddling, Jennings found Canoe Polo through a connection while playing women’s AFL.
“I grew up a country kid and where I’m from, everyone just played every sport,” said Jennings.
“As an adult I continued along the same path, and when one of the runners from footy invited us all along to watch his Canoe Polo final one night, I left deciding to have a crack at it myself.
“I realised pretty quickly that it’s a lot like basketball in some ways, and that because of my many years playing basketball, it was relatively easy to pick up.
“I loved how technical it was and how welcoming the community was, and my journey within the sport has just continued since,” she said.
Describing the sport as a mix between water polo, basketball and dodgem cars, Jennings quickly fell in love with the sport and became an integral member of the Australian Women’s team.
“I love that you can go hard and fast but that there’s also an incredibly technical aspect to the sport. Of all the team sports I’ve played, it’s the most unique,” said Jennings.
“I was lucky enough to be part of the group that travelled to Poland in 2012 for the Canoe Polo World Championships where we came away with a top three finish.
“Winning the Bronze was super exciting – you put all this effort in and a medal is a visible reflection of that.
“The campaign is so long and includes everything from selection to training camps to competitions in the lead up, so to be able to execute as a team when it mattered was very special.
“I think everyone says it, but when you finish your last game at a competition with a win, it’s much easier to celebrate no matter where you finish.”
After wearing the number seven for Australia for seven international events, Jennings transitioned into coaching where she has consistently contributed to the sport since.
“One of the main takeaways I took from coaching in my first international event, the 2018 World Championships, is that it’s a very different experience going to a major event as a coach as opposed to an athlete.
“As a Coach, I felt I had more time and space to manage the emotions that came with the journey, so I think I found it easier to pick up the learnings along the way.
“Now I find there’s always more strategies and skills to learn and people to meet, so I find it all very energising,” she said.
Passionate about Canoe Polo and its community, Jennings says she feels grateful for her longevity in the sport, with the upcoming World Championships in China set to be the fourth time she has coached the Australian Women at an international event.
“When you play sport, what you’re left with at the end is memories and relationships, and this is the opportunity sport brings.
“I just feel really grateful that I get to continue my journey in a different capacity.”
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