Illawarra Academy of Sport's Mia Parker scoring goals in the pool

There are those involved in a specific sporting program who experience expert coaching and skills development within the Academy's structures. And then there are the lone star athletes. 

These athletes have been deemed worthy of receiving a scholarship, yet don't participate in a sport with the numbers or setup to warrant an entire Academy program. 

Water polo player Mia Parker is one such lone star athlete and she credits the Academy for aiding her development in the pool.

"The Academy have been really good," Parker said.

"They organise a lot of training and weights sessions that I go to every Wednesday and Friday. They also organise fitness testing and have really helped me with my fitness."

At just 12-years-old, Parker has a bright future in the sport. A member of the Cronulla 14A club side, she has excelled at both NSW and Australian Championships against opponents much older and bigger than her. 

She was also named most valuable player at the Under 12 Balmain Carnival in January, where she scored a goal in her side's 2-1 grand final defeat. 

Parker's talent and potential have seen her earn selection in the NSW Water Polo Academy squad and she aims to earn future NSW and Australian selections in the future. 

"I just got selected in the NSW Water Polo Academy squad, where I will train once a fortnight with the top kids from all around NSW. 

"From there, I'd like to make the NSW team, that's one of my main goals."

Parker will now turn her immediate focus to helping her Cronulla side finish the Sydney Metro competition on a high. 

With five rounds to go before the finals, the side sits second on the ladder behind Sydney Northern Beaches and Parker is hopeful they will eclipse their rivals.

"Our team's improved a lot throughout the season, so hopefully we can finish the season off well. We're second on the ladder, so would like to go well in the finals."