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Kiwi kids treated to special water polo session with American Olympic legend Maggie Steffens

The two-time gold medallist was in Auckland to give some of New Zealand’s up and coming talent a private session.

It's no easy task being a double Olympic gold medallist and arguably the world's best female water polo player.

However, quitting was never an option for American star Maggie Steffens.

The 24-year-old is currently in New Zealand providing private sessions for aspiring Kiwi youngsters hoping to go far in the sport.

"All over New Zealand, I've met so many different kids and I'm inspired by them," she said.

But inspiration doesn't come without work.

Steffens said she would fit in up to seven hours of training a day - sometimes every day of the week.

"I still want to be an Olympic champion," she told 1 NEWS.

"It doesn't matter if you've done it before - it matters what you're going to do next."

At just 17, she competed in her first Olympic games, joining her older sister, Jessica, in the USA team in the London 2012 games.

The event became an unforgettable one for the Steffens clan the younger sibling set an Olympic record for most goals scored by a woman.

At 19, she picked up the captaincy for the national side and has since led the team through the most dominant reign in water polo history – two world championships, an Olympic gold, four World League titles and a World Cup win.

While New Zealand isn't close to USA,s No.1 ranking at the moment, Steffens says the foundations are in place for something special.

"I think if New Zealand can continue to grow the love of the sport, like I've seen in these kids, just some more exposure… I think naturally people will feed off that energy."

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