NSWIS athletes central to the Australian Women’s Water Polo World Cup Campaign

Eight New South Wales Institute of Sport athletes have been named in the Australian Women’s Water Polo team, the Aussie Stingers, for the upcoming FINA Women’s World Cup in Surgut, Russia.

Making up over 60% of the team, NSWIS representatives will be central to the Stingers campaign, which will play an important role in the ongoing build up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

NSWIS athlete and Aussie Stingers captain Rowie Webster told Water Polo Australia that the tournament would be a key stepping block for the team.

“We’ve been building towards this for the past few years under a new coach. It will be a good test for us as we mix it against the best in the world,” she said.

“We had a really successful training camp leading in. It was a tough few weeks, battling through the fatigue, but I think we’ve come out of it really strong.

“Playing in Russia will be pretty special and we’re expecting a really exciting atmosphere.”

Held every four years, the Stingers will begin the tournament against the home nation before taking on Water Polo powerhouses, Spain and China.

Aussie Stingers 2018 FINA World Cup Team:

1. Lilian Hedges, WA
2. Keesja Gofers, NSW – NSWIS
3. Hannah Buckling, NSW – NSWIS
4. Bronte Halligan, NSW – NSWIS
5. Isobel Bishop, NSW – NSWIS
6. Bronwen Knox, QLD
7. Rowie Webster, VIC – NSWIS
8. Amy Ridge, NSW – NSWIS
9. Zoe Arancini, WA
10. Alice Williams, QLD
11. Morgan Baxter, NSW – NSWIS
12. Pascalle Casey, NSW – NSWIS
13. Gabriella Palm, QLD

The Stingers’ FINA Women’s World Cup Schedule:

• Day 1 Tuesday, 4 September – AUS vs CHN 1600 (9:00pm AEST)
• Day 2 Wednesday, 5 September – AUS vs RUS 1930 (6 August 12:30am AEST)
• Day 3 Thursday, 6 September – AUS vs ESP 1630 (9:30pm AEST)
• Days 4-6, 7-9 September – TBC