Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill has named his 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.
In just over a week’s time, 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 of the year.
Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks captain and two-time Olympian Nathan Power will lead the side to the World Cup Finals, alongside eight of his Paris Olympic teammates.
Two-time Olympian Blake Edwards will make his long awaited return to the green and gold, following a two-year break after the Paris Olympic Games. Powerhouse players Nicolas Constantin-Bicari and Matthew Byrnes will also look to make an impact in the pool.
Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill was pleased to be able to confirm the selection of his team.
“One of the greatest honours in coaching Australia is getting to make those phone calls to inform athletes and players that they’ve been selected for major competitions,” Hamill said.
“We’ll have nine players returning from the Paris Olympic Games – we’ve been looking for stability in this program for some time now and we’ve got that with those nine returning players.
“We’ve also got a few players who have recently debuted for the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks over the last 12 months – Nic Bicari, Loui Schuler, Tristan Glanznig who’s been around the group for a while now gets another selection, and Luka Krstic, who is another young, promising player, gets his opportunity for the Sydney World Cup.
“We’re really comfortable and excited by the group we have, we’re continuing to build on the culture which is something we’re really proud of – it’s something we did really well in Paris and we’re looking to keep working on as we’re heading towards LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032,” he said.
Hamill said the team have been working hard in camp and are looking forward to putting on a show for the home fans in Sydney next week.
“I’m really excited for it – the Olympic Games is by far and away the best thing that we play and obviously World Champs is huge but there’s something brewing about this Sydney World Cup for us.
“We’re excited to play Spain, we know they’re the reigning world champions, we know they’re a great team.
“Speaking to a number of the players, and selfishly me included, we have very few opportunities to play in front of family and friends.
“I know my wife, my children and my parents haven’t seen me coach Australia too often, so to have them in the stands, along with hopefully thousands of others, is going to be a very special moment for us all,” he said.
Water Polo Australia would like to congratulate the following athletes on their selection:
Nathan Power (NSW) – captain
Laurence Barker (NSW)
Marcus Berehulak (QLD)
Matthew Byrnes (NSW)
Nicolas Constantin-Bicari (NSW)
Blake Edwards (VIC)
Tristan Glanznig (NSW)
Luka Krstic (NSW)
Angus Lambie (NSW)
Milos Maksimovic (NSW)
Jacob Mercep (NSW)
Charlie Negus (NSW)
Nic Porter (QLD)
Tim Putt (WA/NSW)
Loui Schuler (NSW)
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