The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers Head Coach Bec Rippon has today named her 15-strong team that will contest the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals that are set to be held in Sydney from 22-26 July.

Australia will host the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals for the first time ever, featuring the top eight women’s and men’s nations as part of the biggest Water Polo tournament. 

Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers captain and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Bronte Halligan will lead her side to the World Cup Finals, alongside 9 of her Paris Olympic teammates.

Fresh off winning the European Champions League with her Greek club Olympiacos, where she was also named the MVP in the final, Abby Andrews will also line up in the green and gold. 

Queensland teenager Bless Daly and South Australian product Tayla Dawkins have been named in the team as the rising stars look to make their mark on the international stage.

Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers coach, Bec Rippon, is hopeful her team can build on the strong success from the Paris Olympic Games as they look to use the home crowd to their full advantage.

“It is a rare opportunity to get to play an event of this level at home, in front of a home crowd. And it’s one I know that our team isn’t taking for granted,” said Rippon.

“We’re so proud of the 15 players selected to represent Australia at the World Cup in just 29 days time. 

“We have assembled a team of experienced Olympic players together with some of the rising stars of our sport, who demonstrate every kind of strong both in and out of the water.”

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will come together for a two week training block in Queensland ahead of the World Cup Finals in Sydney. 

“It will be so good having everyone together back in Australia – a few are returning from Europe and Sienna Green is back from college. These players have gained a lot of experience against some of the best players in the world, and we are looking forward to seeing what they can bring home to our team”

“We are excited to get back into the Stingers environment and to wear the Aussie colours with pride. And, we can’t wait to showcase our sport at our home pool, playing what we hope will be some entertaining water polo for everyone to enjoy.”

Water Polo Australia would like to congratulate the following athletes on their selection:

Bronte Halligan (NSW) – captain (NSWIS)
Abby Andrews (QLD)
Charlize Andrews (QLD)
Hayley Ballesty (NSW) (NSWIS)
Bless Daly (QLD)
Tayla Dawkins (SA/NSW) (NSWIS)
Tenealle Fasala (QLD)
Sienna Green (NSW) (NSWIS)
Sienna Hearn (NSW) (NSWIS)
Dani Jackovich (NSW) (NSWIS)
Tilly Kearns (NSW) (NSWIS)
Alexie Lambert (NSW) (NSWIS)
Genevieve Longman (WA/NSW) (NSWIS)
Gabriella Palm (QLD)
Alice Williams (QLD)

ABOUT THE WORLD CUP FINALS

For the first time in water polo history, Water Polo Australia will host both the men’s and women’s World Aquatics World Cup Finals, as preparations build towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games in two years. The top eight men’s and women’s international teams are confirmed to battle it out for the sport’s most prestigious titles at Sydney Olympic Park from 22-26 July 2026. 

Both Australian teams are confirmed to hit the water on Day 1 and Day 2 of competition, giving fans a guaranteed chance to see the teams in action on home soil at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. 

The opening day of the tournament is the women’s quarter finals with the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers set to take on Italy from 6:30pm AEST. 

Tickets on sale now – click here

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