Water Polo NSW's Finest Dive into Action with the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers Against World Champions USA

Water Polo NSW extends its commendation to the ten NSW athletes who represented the Aussie Stingers in a three-game test series against the reigning world champions, the United States. As we countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the series was an integral part of the Stingers' preparation and an excellent opportunity to measure against the best in the sport.

A Gritty Display Against Formidable Opponents

The matches unfolded over a well-fought series in California at renowned aquatic facilities, testing the resilience and strategic execution of the Stingers under world-class competition.

The results were as follows:

- Game 1: AUS 4 USA 10 at Dos Pueblos HS, Santa Barbara

- Game 2: AUS 8 USA 14 at Long Beach City College, Long Beach

- Game 3: AUS 6 USA 14 at Woollett Aquatics Centre, Irvine

While the scoreboard favoured the USA, each match demonstrated the Stingers' tenacity and commitment to refining their gameplay under the pressure of international contenders.

Head Coach's Perspective

Head Coach Bec Rippon reflected on the tour. "The tour to the US was to train and get some international games against the US who are current World Champions. It was an opportunity to test ourselves and see how we are tracking with our areas of focus as well as identify any other key gaps. We still have selection, so it was a chance to see this group of players match up against the best. We are now just 3 months away from the Paris Olympics and we are looking to finalise the team and continue working hard and building with further international games to come including China in Sydney in May,” said Bec.

An Eye on Improvement

Despite the outcomes, the series served its purpose by highlighting the areas that require attention as the team advances towards the Olympics. Rippon's strategic mindset is focused on fine-tuning the squad and ensuring they are formidable opponents when they encounter other international teams in the months leading up to Paris.

NSW's Proud Representation

The NSW players who contributed to the series were:

- Keesja Gofers

- Zoe Arancini

- Sienna Green

- Bronte Halligan

- Sienna Hearn

- Danijela Jackovich

- Tilly Kearns

- Genevieve Longman

- Ruby Swadling

- Holly Young

They joined other elite athletes from Queensland and Western Australia to form the Australian squad that faced the USA.

Continued Focus and Growth

The dedication and learning gleaned from this experience by the NSW athletes will be invaluable to their home teams and to Water Polo NSW as a whole. The insights gained from competing against the highest-ranked team in the world will resonate within the local training grounds, encouraging all athletes to elevate their game.

Looking Forward to the Olympics and Beyond

With the Olympic countdown underway, Water Polo NSW looks forward to supporting the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers as they fine-tune their team and strategies. The upcoming international games against China in Sydney is yet another stepping stone towards reaching our goals and achieving success in Paris.

Everyone at Water Polo NSW remains 100% behind our athletes, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers, and the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks, as they pursue excellence and represent Australia with pride on the world stage.