Australia announced its women’s water polo team for the Paris Olympic Games on Thursday with a mix of experience and youth. For two players it was relief to be named for a second Olympic Games campaign.
The Aussie Stingers women completed their final camps either side of the national league finals in Sydney. The venue for the announcement was the iconic Dawn Fraser Baths on harbourside Balmain in Sydney.
Australia’s preparation has been long and arduous with a 26-day camp in Canberra in March, a two-week stint in United States of America, where three official tests were played against the Olympic champion, and then leading players contested the national league finals with yesterday being the all-important announcement.
The Olympic team will then front China in a three-test series to be played at three different venues in Sydney this coming Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
Second Time Around
For Bronte Halligan (28) and Tilly Kearns (23, above), the announcement marks the second time they have been named to the elite competition.
Halligan is the more experienced with more than 150 caps with Kearns yet to make her “ton”. They both have United States of American college experience with Halligan playing for UCLA and Kearns for USC.
Halligan plays for Ekipe Orrizonte in the Italian League and Kearns with Sydney University Lions.
The Stingers team will be captained by 300-match veteran Zoe Arancini in her third Olympic Games and includes 200-match star Keesja Gofers, also a three-time Olympian now and a mother of one — the second Aussie mother to play at this level.
There are six first-time Olympians and 19 year-old Sienna Green becomes the youngest Australian water polo woman to represent the country at an Olympic Games, beating London Olympian Ash Southern by 13 days.
The Aussie Stingers, with such a proud Olympic and world championship record, have been bystanders when it comes to handing out medals in recent years.
Coming off consecutive bronze medals in 2008 and 2012, the Stingers finished sixth in 2016 and fifth in 2020.
Its last medal at World Championship level was 2019 in Gwangju, South Korea.
Its last World Cup medal was bronze in 2018.
Its last World League medal was bronze in 2016.
Under the guidance of Rippon, Australia needs to dig deep and prove it’s worthy of regaining some of the glory days epitomised by the inaugural Olympic gold medal at Sydney 2000.
Returning Stars
Halligan (above) was effusive of the selection process, now that it is over.
“I feel really good, so excited. It’s so special, the first one (Tokyo 2020), it’s the best ride. With the second one you know what to expect and what is expected of you I feel very competitive about the second one.”
On the competition for Olympic berths:
“In-house competition creates the best fighting for selection and is epic for the group. We’re creating a group as a team. The reserves are still a major part of the team.
The reserves will come away with us. They may not cap up, but they are such an important part of the team.”
On putting selection behind and preparing for Paris:
“Tomorrow is literally straight back into the pool, caps back on, suits on and back to work as we have three matches with China in the coming week. We have a few weeks off then it is over to Europe — 78 days away — so close.”
On Australia being so close to the podium, yet not on in recent years:
“Everyone has the goal to get on the podium. You would be amiss not to get on the podium. We will put our best foot forward. As long as we do that (we can succeed). It is definitely a goal of ours to be a successful team.”
From a long line of family achievers, Kearns cherished the selection moment with a family dinner at, wait for it, a French restaurant.
“It’s the same dream (as Tokyo), the same goal; going there to win. It’s exciting every time (to be selected). When I first got that phone call for Tokyo, it was amazing and I celebrated with my family.
“This time I was by the ocean when I got the call and it was the same wave of emotion, and there were tears of pride.”
How did the family react, headed by Rugby World Cup-winning father Phil Kearns:
“I guess pride as I’m one of four kids, all high achievers. I shared the moment celebrating in a French restaurant with my siblings, mum and dad. They have helped me get to where I belong.”
Now that the selection progress is done and dusted:
“It’s good. Now the final team is selected, we are fully team focused; ironing out all the bumps we need to. I’m excited to be going forward as a group.
“I’m excited to get a job done. We’re exhausted but we have a common goal to be standing at the top of the podium at the end of the Olympics.”
What The Coach Says:
Head coach Rebecca (Bec) Rippon (above coaching in Doha last February) is no stranger to the Olympic arena, having finished fourth in 2004 and winning bronze in 2008 as a player and been assistant coach under Paul Oberman at Tokyo 2020.
Was she happy with the selection process?
“We went through what it was going to look like; the support around us was done well; we followed the guidelines and adjusted to suit the team best. The actual selection process was really well done.
“I picked the best team for a medal in Paris. We will find it hard as the competition is so close. I definitely believe we’re in the best position to win a medal and I believe we can.”
On getting a balance around the pool:
“We picked a balanced team — our goalies are strong; we have a good set of forward and backs and utilities we can move as needed. The balance of the team in and out of pool, is the best that we could achieve.
“The biggest thing is I’m really proud of this team, all fighting for positions in and out of the pool to get to this stage. I’m excited to coach them and can’t wait to get to Paris to show what we are capable of,” Rippon said.
The Australian team: Abby Andrews, Charlize Andrews, Zoe Arancini, Elle Armit, Keesja Gofers, Sienna Green, Bronte Halligan, Sienna Hearn, Danijela Jackovich, Tilly Kearns, Genevieve Longman, Gabriella Palm, Alice Williams.