NZ: Your Pathway to US College Water Polo
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- Zoom
Dreaming of competing at top US unis?
Join former NCAA D1 athletes Chelsea Oliver and Kirstyn Goodger as they reveal what it takes for NZ athletes to secure recruitment opportunities at top US universities.
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER
- How the US college athletic recruitment system works for water polo and what New Zealand athletes need to know before starting the process.
- How student-athletes can pursue a US university degree while competing at a high level, and what makes the US college experience unique.
- Insight into the athletic, academic, and personal qualities US water polo coaches look for when recruiting international athletes.
- What to focus on and when, so you can start preparing early and make the most of your recruitment opportunities.
- Bonus: Get your questions answered during the live session, with the opportunity to book a follow-up 1:1 consultation with a Crimson Athletics strategist.
Our Speakers
Chelsea O.
Former Long Beach State Water Polo Goalkeeper
Chelsea Oliver is a Kiwi water polo goalkeeper who starred for four years at Long Beach State, becoming the team’s starting goalkeeper and finishing third in program history with 720 saves. She earned ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention and Second Team All-Big West honors in 2025. A New Zealand international since 2016, she now plays professionally in Spain for Sant Feliu, recently helping the club finish second in the European Conference Cup.
Kirstyn G.
Former UW Rower and NZ Olympic Medallist
Kirstyn Goodger began her rowing journey at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland before being recruited to the University of Washington where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography while competing in the elite Varsity Eight for the Washington Huskies. Kirstyn went on to represent NZ at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and multiple World Rowing Championships, giving her first-hand experience of navigating the pathway from New Zealnd to competing at the highest levels internationally.
Chelsea O.
Former Long Beach State Water Polo Goalkeeper
Chelsea Oliver is a Kiwi water polo goalkeeper who starred for four years at Long Beach State, becoming the team’s starting goalkeeper and finishing third in program history with 720 saves. She earned ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention and Second Team All-Big West honors in 2025. A New Zealand international since 2016, she now plays professionally in Spain for Sant Feliu, recently helping the club finish second in the European Conference Cup.
Kirstyn G.
Former UW Rower and NZ Olympic Medallist
Kirstyn Goodger began her rowing journey at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland before being recruited to the University of Washington where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography while competing in the elite Varsity Eight for the Washington Huskies. Kirstyn went on to represent NZ at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and multiple World Rowing Championships, giving her first-hand experience of navigating the pathway from New Zealnd to competing at the highest levels internationally.