"It has come much, much quicker than I thought it would," Fountain said.
"I was not expected to make this team which is mean as but sometime in the future. I was a bit surprised at first to get into this world's league team. I want to raise my level to all the other countries and learn heaps. I just want to keep on getting better, that is the main objective."
Fountain had a taste of the big step-up when he played in a New Zealand squad in Sydney earlier this year.
He came up against former Mount Maunganui College student Joseph Kayes, a star forward for the Aussie Sharks team.
"He is someone who I have looked up to. He has kind of been in my water polo life for a long time because his mum taught me at intermediate school," Fountain said.
"I thought I want to be like him. So yeah, he has been a big inspiration for me."
Fountain is not daunted about having to keep Kayes' trademark aggressive shots out of the net.
"I'm excited. Nerves just weigh you down, but it is just fun. I just want to play against the best there are."
The tournament will be played at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre which has been purpose-built for next year's Commonwealth Games in April.
"To play at a world-class facility against world-class teams just across the ditch is great as it gives the opportunity for families to support the athletes with travel not so much of a burden," said New Zealand Water Polo national teams director Eelco Uri.
"It's a hugely exciting opportunity for our men's programme and for water polo in Australasia, to have this tournament on the Gold Coast."
New Zealand can qualify for the Olympics by beating Australia in a qualifying series or by placing amongst the top teams in an Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Water polo is the oldest Olympic team sport, dating back to 1900 where New Zealand had its first gold medal Olympian in Victor Lindberg competing for Great Britain.
