NSWIS water polo players add sting in Aussie Stingers

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) will be represented by seven scholarship athletes – Zoe Arancini, Pascalle Casey, Bronte Halligan, Ruby Swadling, Tilly Kearns, Genevieve Longman and Amy Ridge – in the Australian Stingers women’s team competing at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan from July 14-30.

The World Aquatics Championships will be an important stepping stone for both Australia’s men’s and women’s teams on the journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, offering teams the first opportunity to qualify quota positions.

WPA General Manager Performance Charles Turner offered his congratulations to all athletes selected to represent Australia in four weeks’ time.

“Wearing the green and gold, and representing Australia, always comes with tremendous honour, and it is extra special to be able to do so at a World Championships,” Turner said.

“Exposure to international water polo will be critical to the preparations of both the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers on their road to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and this World Championships offers a great opportunity for them to play against the world’s best.

“On behalf of Water Polo Australia, I’d like to wish Paul, Tim and the athletes the best of luck and I look forward to seeing them in action on the world stage,” he said.

Aussie Stingers Head Coach Paul Oberman said his team will be looking for a strong performance in Fukuoka.

“The 2023 World Championships mark an important milestone for us as we continue to build towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Oberman said.

“For us this year, the World Championships is the pinnacle event, and will be a great opportunity for us to match up against the best teams in the world, 12 months out from the Olympic Games.

“We wanted more out of our World Cup campaign in April, and with the progression we’ve made as a team since then we know that we’re ready to build on that performance.

“The team we have assembled for this World Championships is a great mix of youth and experience, and I have full faith they will represent Australia with pride,” he said.

Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill said the team he has selected are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

“The World Championships is a great chance for us to see where we are at as a team, and how we match up against some of the world’s best,” said Hamill.

“At this stage in our development as a team we want to be playing against the best of the best.

“We are a team that is growing and the World Championships will be a great opportunity to continue that growth, and putting in place the learnings from the World Cup earlier this year.

“The Sharks are excited for the World Championships, and looking forward to getting some more games under our belt at this level.”

AUSSIE STINGERS

Charlize Andrews (QLD)

Abby Andrews (QLD)

Zoe Arancini (WA/NSW)

Elle Armit (QLD)

Pascalle Casey (NSW)

Tenealle Fasala (QLD)

Bronte Halligan (NSW)

Ruby Swadling (NSW)

Tilly Kearns (NSW)

Bridget Leeson-Smith (QLD)

Genevieve Longman (WA/NSW)

Gabi Palm (QLD)

Sofie Pontre (WA)

Amy Ridge (NSW)

Alice Williams (QLD)

AUSSIE SHARKS 

Marcus Berehulak (QLD/NSW)

Matthew Byrnes (NSW)

Blake Edwards (VIC)

Lachlan Edwards (VIC)

Andrew Ford (WA)

George Ford (WA)

John Hedges (WA)

Angus Lambie (NSW)

Charlie Negus (NSW)

Luke Pavillard (WA)

Chaz Poot (NSW)

Nic Porter (QLD)

Nathan Power (NSW)

Tim Putt (WA)

Sam Slobodien (NSW)*

*pending availability