GB U18 Girls Training Camp

Published: 09 April 2026

Great experience for Ava Thornton away at a Training camp in Greece with GB U18 girls yesterday.  Ava was joined by fellow Scot and Caledonia U19 girls team mate Charlotte Smith.

The team watched NC Vouliagmeni take on Ethnikos Piraeus in a high-quality Greek League clash, before getting the chance to meet the players post-match. 

They were then joined by World & European Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Kitty Lynn Joustra, who shared her insights and experiences with the group.
A brilliant day of learning, inspiration, and top-level water polo — finished off with some competitive practice games in the pool.

 The squad also met with GB Water Polo star Lily Turner, for an insightful Q&A session, as she shared her experiences of competing at senior international level and her role as a key player for Glyfada Water Polo Club.
A really valuable session for the group — plenty of learning, honest insights, and inspiration for the journey ahead

DWPC Players away on GB Duties

Published: 09 April 2026

Congratulations to DWPC players Rory Nesbitt, Finlay Nesbitt who have been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Aquatics Men's Water Polo World Cup 2026 - Division 2 Tournament - which will take place 7th-13th April 2026 in Malta

The squad flew out to Barcelona for a pre-competition training camp on 2nd April and then onwards to the World Cup (7th-13th April), where they will face some tough competition in the initial phase against China, NAB and Montenegro.

Match Report: DWPC/M’Hill Ladies v Warrender – SNL 2025/26

Published: 27 March 2026

Tuesday 24th March 2026 –Carnegie Centre-Dunfermline.

After an excellent 19-11 win in our last league match v Stirling, DWPC/M’Hill women lined up with a full 13 player compliment for their return match v Warrender with some optimism. However, although Warrender were only able to field nine players, an accomplished and organised performance by their experienced players and goalkeeper saw them establish a 6-1 half time lead. We did fight back in the 2^nd half but not sufficiently to overcome the deficit allowing Warrender to achieve a deserved 9-5 win.

Per 1: We started with Zara in goal, Ava and Lucy on the left, Molly and Millie on the right, Kayleigh R at CB and Julia at CF.  The opening exchanges were very tight with defences predominant. Kiara Walsh put Warrender ahead with a penalty before Molly equalised, also from 5m. We defended well a 5v6 before KW scored her 2^nd goal with a very well placed lob from the left wing. 1-2 down at the period end.

Per 2: Warrender took control of the game in this period adopting a very effective M drop which we failed to score against due to inaccurate shooting from distance under defensive pressure and good goalkeeping from Madeline Brown. They then counter attacked strongly to score 4 without reply through Caitlin McRobbie, Lauren Averell and a double from KW.  A 0-4 period score as we trailed 1-6 at halftime.

Per 3: Eve F replaced Zara in goal at this point as we worked hard and started to drive to try and get back into the game and gained an exclusion which was converted by Susan J. We conceded but saved a 5v6 before Eleanor C scored with a low corner first time perimeter shot from a cross pass. As Warrender kept driving we conceded a penalty which was scored by Cami Davidson we replied though with a nice team passing move allowing Molly to score from close in with 30 seconds on the clock. A positive 3-1 period win and arrears reduced to 4-7 at the three-quarter stage.

Per 4: Warrender started the final period strongly gaining an exclusion, but our defence held firm. They did score though through CMc before Susan scored her 2^nd goal of the game. We then gained an exclusion but missed the 6v5 after time-out. The game was even for the last 2 minutes. Both teams missed chances before KW finished the scoring with her 5^th goal of the game for a 2-1 period win and 9-5 win overall. Well played Warrender.

Reflections:

For 3 periods this was a very even game with the scores tied at 5-5. However, an excellent 2^nd period by Warrender established a four goal lead which was one that we couldn’t pull back. It was very positive that we had 13 players on poolside, 6 of whom are U19, but our lack of team preparation was clearly evident at times. Although we did concede seven exclusions it was an excellent effort to defend them all without conceding a goal.

Going forward, with two games against current League Champions Kirkintilloch and a return match v Stirling still to play, we have a lot to work on if we are to improve individually and collectively. We do need to try and schedule some sessions when everyone is present.

Areas to work on:

• Attacking an M Drop defence.
• Passing and first-time shooting
• Our fitness and water mobility to increase driving tempo and consistency.

Match summary:

1. Team: Goals(): Eve Fielding GK per 3+4 , Erin Livie, Julia MacKay, Kayleigh Roy, Millie Wishart, Molly Meldrum (2), Eleanor Campbell (1), Lucy MacNair, Ava Thornton, Lucy Hughes, Susan Johnston (2), Zara Christie GK per 1 + 2
2. Exclusions/Penalties (): Erin (1 exc), Julia MacKay (2 exc), Kayleigh (1 exc), Millie (1 pen), Molly (1 exc), Eleanor (1 exc, 1 pen), Lucy (1 exc).
3. Man-up: 1 scored from 2 attempts – Penalties: 1/1
4. Man-down: 4/6 saved (67%) – Penalties conceded: 0

Match Report - Scottish National League U19 Girls – DWPC v Menzieshill -15th Mar - NSA

Published: 17 March 2026

Dunfermline WPC’s U19 girls played their 6^th game of the 2025/26 season with a third fixture against Caley team-mates and friends, Menzieshill (MH). DWPC were only able to field 7 players due to the unavailability of Hali, Ruby and Molly Oswald but fortunately Niamh Wilson (2014 born) agreed to play up three age groups in order that we could fulfil the fixture. MH had 9 players but unfortunately no recognised goalkeeper as Ksenia, who proved to be a formidable GK the last time we played was unavailable. In a very high scoring game, we defended very well and using Niamh as a lone forward player won 27-20 with Niamh scoring an incredible 11 goals. Very well played girls.

Per 1: We made a very positive start with Ava scoring in our first attack. Having decided to adopt a tactic of man down defence and leaving 1 player (Niamh) forward, it didn’t start well with MH taking full advantage to score 3 goals in a row through Ailsa Duncan (AD) at CF. We did pull one back sending the ball long to Niamh who scored but MH responded with a further 2 goals with AD’s 4^th of the period and a nice lob from Libby Duncan (LD). As we began to get our defence & GK more organised, we scored 2 goals in the last minute on the counter-attack through Niamh and Ava to trail 4-6 at the end of the 1^st period.

Per 2: MH started well increasing their lead through Rosie IB before Ava pulled one back. A further 2 goals from Millie Wishart (MW) and LD extended the MH lead but as our 5v6 defence became more compact, we stole the ball and sent it long to Niamh to score before MW scored again for MH. We attacked again though and for the 2^nd period in a row scored two in the last 30 secs of the period, one from Poppy when 6v5 and another from Niamh with a steal and long pass forward. A 5-4 period win although we trailed 10-9 at the halfway point.

Per 3: At the start of this period our 5v6 tactics worked really well as we more active in putting pressure on the ball carrier to gain steals or force error. This helped us to steal and release Niamh or spring a counter attack continuously. We scored 7 through Niamh (3) Ava (3) and Isla to just 1 in reply from MH through Eleanor Campbell (EC). MH finished the period strongly to score 4 through RIB, MW and AD (2) but we scored two ourselves though through a double from Ava to win a very high scoring period 9-5 and to lead 18-14 at the three-quarter stage.

Per 4: The high scoring continued in the final period. AD pulled one back for MH before we scored four in a row through Isla and Ava (3). AD and MW pulled two back for MH before we replied with 3 from Ava and Niamh (2). Ailsa D then scored her 9^th goal of the game (an excellent effort) before Ava extended our lead again with 2 shots from the perimeter. On the restart, Eleanor then finished the scoring for MH with the last shot of the game. A 2^nd 9-5 period win in a row for a final score of 27-20. Well done to both sets of players for an exciting contest and for their efforts with no or little substitutions available.

Game Reflections:

Our players are to be commended for a hard working and tactically smart performance. To play so well with just 7 players for four periods was an excellent and hardworking effort. Very well done to Niamh and Ava who scored 23 goals between them, but this was possible due to excellent team 5v6 defence and the fact that MH had to play with inexperienced and reluctant goalkeepers.

Going forward we should continue our excellent work rate whilst focusing on:

• Player release and passing decision making and accuracy to reduce the number of possession turnovers and to take full advantage of gaining player advantage when counter attacking.
• Ball reception of longer passes when on the move.
• Perimeter shooting.

Match Statistics:

1. Team & Goal scorers ( ): Eve Fielding, Ava Thornton (12), Ruby Reid, Niamh Wilson (11), Poppy Reid (1). Isla Edwards (2), EllieThornton.
2. Exclusions/Pens conceded: Ava (1exc), Ruby R (3 exc).
3. Man-up – 2 gained - 2 scored (100%) - Man-down: 4 conceded – 3 saved. (75%)
4. Penalties: 0 gained – 0 conceded.