With more than 40 medals at all levels of international competition, Western Australian Aaron Younger has returned to his roots to settle down and raise a family beyond the scope of a water polo pool.
Triple Olympian Aaron Younger has done what no other Aussie has achieved by conquering the European scene in a glittering 14-year career that ended with a sensational five Champions League crowns — four of them successive, which is a record.
The youngster from the riverside Melville club in Perth shot to international stardom at an early age and threaded his career through a myriad of European club and Australian international commitments. Hailing from Australia on the other aside of the globe, this was no mean feat.
He is known more for his achievements outside his country than within.
Younger was tempted to the northern hemisphere at 18 after starting water polo as a 10-year-old.
“From a young age I was motivated to go as far as I could with the sport. I got picked up with the Western Australia Institute of Sport from quite a young age and that was the beginning of my journey on the more competitive side of water polo. Eventually I was able to start making national squads, then teams.
“I ended up playing two world juniors for Australia (seventh and fourth). Around 2009, I started making the men's national squad and started playing for them ‘properly’ in 2010 (reaching 27 matches), with 2011 being my first world championships in Shanghai.
“My first national trophy was with Melville and the U14 nationals in Hobart. After that Melville/WA was able to win multiple national titles through U14/16/18 and 20. I have only played a couple of National League seasons, but luckily in 2009 we were able to win the National League with the Fremantle Mariners a few months before I moved to start playing in Europe,” he said.
It was a rocky road ahead of his first Olympic Games.
“I had been in and out of the squad a little but finally in 2010 I was able to find a more secure spot in the men's side and played my first world championships in Shanghai. After that I was fortunate enough to retain my spot and represent Australia at my first Olympics in London 2012.”
European recognition came a little earlier.
“My world junior team had been putting up some incredible results, which helped in gaining the attention of the European clubs. I signed with my first European club in Szeged, Hungary in 2010.”
From there, he shuffled between clubs — From 2010, he played three years in Szeged; one year in Perth; one year at Jug Dubrovnik; three years at Szolnok; two years at Fradi; five years at Pro Recco (three years in the off-season in Malta).
“I was known as a utility player who could play multiple roles in defence and attack,” devastatingly scoring many goals in the process.
What were the ups and downs of playing in three different European countries (especially with a young family) and being an Aussie in Europe?
“It was a great experience for my family and me. It was nice meeting all the people we have met and cultures we have experienced. Although it took a large sacrifice from my wife and children to follow me around the world and put up with my travel and playing demands.
Younger has achieved a unique place in European water polo with the five Champions League crowns.
“Being able to win the Champions League was nothing I ever really considered or dreamed about as a young player. So, to win it five times was an incredible honour. Being able to win it with multiple teams and to win in home-and-away settings was an amazing experience. Luckily, my wife was finally able to witness the last one, so in the end we can say we achieved everything we wanted to.”
Younger’s Olympic career could have been longer if he had played in Paris 2024.
“I was fortunate enough to captain the Australian team at the Tokyo Olympics. In doing so, I had to make a large sacrifice in my personal life, and I unfortunately missed the birth of my daughter, which was not just a sacrifice for me, but also for my wife and children. The sacrifice players and their families make to go to any international event is massive, let alone the Olympics and, unfortunately, as my career went on this trade-off became harder to make.
“There were many things going on in the water polo world that made me quite disappointed with the management of the sport. I feel this took away a lot of respect and pride from the athletes who were sacrificing and putting so much time and energy into the sport."
“After Tokyo, I realised that the sacrifice was not worth what I was putting my family
and myself through and instead went to enjoy the summers with my family and play in Malta. It was a tough decision because I really loved playing for Australia and with the guys. But it was hard to warrant spending months away each year for this, especially with a young family.”
He played his 200th senior international against Spain in Tokyo and 201st and last against Kazakhstan.
Younger states his greatest moments in water polo.
“It is hard to single out a specific moment. But winning the last game at home of my career with Recco in front of my family definitely stands out. Possibly my first game at the Olympics, also.”
How easy was the decision to give up life in Europe at such a “young” age for a water polo player.
“I had been in Europe for 14 years. They were amazing years, especially the last five with Recco and my family. As my kids were getting bigger the trade-off was starting to change with all the travel and commitments that sport entails. We felt like we had achieved all there was to achieve in European club water polo and we decided it was the right time. We decided in September at the start of the last season and believe we made the right decision.”
You gained an MBA. How will you use this in your future career?
“Water polo is not soccer. So, in the back of my mind, life after sport was always an important question. Luckily, I was able to study while I was playing, and this helped to prepare for transitioning into a ‘real job’ after my sporting life was over. I have already started working, but hopefully I will be able to leverage my education and sporting experiences into something useful.”
Will we see Younger the Elder back at water polo in the near future?
“Probably not in the near future. My son has started playing socially and I would like to help out to help improve the situation and development in Australia. But as a player, very unlikely.”
What about the support you have received during your career?
“My career wouldn't have been possible at all without the support of my family. My wife and children have been incredibly supportive and patient and have made uncountable sacrifices in order for me to be able to play so I can't thank them more. Also, my parents, what they had to go through to get me everywhere and organise my trips was incredible and I'm greatly thankful for them.”
Younger said he had a large number of people to thank for his incredible career.
“There are too many names too list done as there have been so many people involved with my development over my career. So better I don't start listing them in case I miss someone out. But I believe the people who have guided my career know who they are and I hope they understand that they are greatly appreciated.”
For The Record
6 x Hungarian Cups; 3 x Hungarian Leagues; 4 x Hungarian Super Cups.
4 x Italian Cups; 4 x Italian Leagues
6 x LEN Super Cups (in a row, only person ever/3 different clubs)
5 x Champions League (4 in a row, only person ever/3 different clubs)
2 x Malta Cups; 2 x Malta Leagues
1 x World Universiade Gold, 2009
2 x World League Super Finals bronzes (1 as captain)
1 x World Cup Silver (Captain and MVP)
1 x Australian National League