Ali Garnham, Hannah Richardson, Emily Boland and Montana Perkins all wear the Hurricanes colours in the National Water Polo League and between them have an average age of 18.

“The median age in the squad would be about 19,” Richardson said.

“Except for the imports, all the juniors are pretty young.”

Richardson, of Tenambit, is the eldest of the Maitland quartet at 21 and she has been part of the Hurricanes squad since they formed and joined the national ranks in 2007.

In more recent times Bolwarra pair Boland, 18, and Garnham, 17, have stepped up to the senior squad while the youngest of the lot is Perkins, from Thornton, at 16 years of age.

What they lack in experience they make up for in youthful exuberance, and together they enjoy the challenge.

“It is the highest level [of water polo] you can play in Australia,” Richardson said.

It has been a hectic start for the Hurricanes in 2012, playing their opening six matches inside nine days.

And while unable to crack a win so far, despite coming frustratingly close against the Queensland Breakers (10-9) at Lambton Pool on Saturday, the Maitland contingent remained confident that a turnaround in form was just around the corner.

“Last season we started slow but came home strong,” Boland said.

“Hopefully we can do the same thing this year but finish top six and make the play-offs.”

The Hurricanes finals push will be aided by talented imports Sarah Harris, Katie Kepner and Lizzie Rouleau.

Kepner and Rouleau hail from Santa Barbara in the US, while Harris captains the South African women’s team.

The Hurricanes are full of praise for their overseas players but combinations are still being worked out after only a short time together.

“Sarah [Harris] is amazing,” Richardson said. “She scored six out of our nine goals on Saturday.

“But we only had two weeks of training together [as a full squad] with the imports before the start of the season so we still haven’t gelled completely.”