MURWILLUMBAH High School teacher Mark Edwards made a splash with his NSW All Schools boys' team at the Australian All Schools Water Polo Championships in Melbourne last week.

Well, Edwards didn't make a splash – his hot-shot team did in the pool while he coached poolside.

One of the most respected water polo coaches in the schools system, Edwards was having his first tilt at the New South Wales All Schools coaching role after serving a long apprenticeship putting the polish on numerous North Coast representative sides for nearly three decades.

New South Wales dominated the tournament, going undefeated during the round-robin matches against West Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria and winding up with a 9-2 thrashing of WA in a semi-final and an 11-6 win over Victoria in the final.

Victoria, the defending premier, gave Edwards a few heart flutters during the final when it led 5-4 at half-time and trailed just 7-6 with three minutes left on the clock before New South Wales overpowered it with four late goals.

“It was a very exciting series for the boys and I'm delighted that five of them were included in the 13-strong Australian All Schools squad,” Edwards said.

Edwards didn't throw his hat into the ring to coach the national side this year but with the prospect of a trip to South Africa with the 2012 squad, the national role might be on his radar next year.

The North Coast region is very fortunate to have someone of Edwards' experience coaching and playing in the area.

The fit 56-year-old plays for Mullumbimby in the Far North Coast Water Polo competition and always puts his hand up to coach North Coast representative teams, even though it involves long road trips to fulfil the role.

Edwards began playing the game as a youngster in Sydney and then combined playing with studying to become a teacher.

He graduated in 1977 and by 1981 he had arrived in Murwillumbah, armed with his water polo playing and coaching skills, plus his ability to teach English.

English students and water polo players alike down the years are glad he made the journey north.