Australia & USA Captains arrive in Brisbane ahead of opening test match

Australia and USA share one of the greatest rivalries in water polo, but the captain’s of both teams put their competitiveness aside to come together today ahead of the first international test match in Brisbane tomorrow.

With just under 200 days to go until the 2020 Olympic Games, the three test match series in Brisbane will be the first major hit out for both squads as preparations for the Tokyo Games intensify.

Australian team Captains Rowie Webster (dual Olympian) and Aaron Younger (dual Olympian) together with USA Captains Maggie Steffens (dual Olympic gold medalist) and Jesse Smith (4 time Olympian) were welcomed to Brisbane by Councillor Peter Matic and Water Polo Australia Acting CEO Richard McInnes today at Southbank.

The international test series headline the KAP7 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships which will be held across Brisbane from 11-23 January with more than 3,500 junior water polo participants taking part in the two week festival.

Aussie Stingers Captain Rowie Webster, said that this test match series will hold extra meaning for Australia with both the men’s and women’s team doing their bit to support those impacted by the bushfires.

“So many people have been affected by the current bushfires and plenty of sports are showing their support… our Australian teams are going to donate $100 from every goal scored during the series to support the bushfire appeals,” said Webster.

It’s not lost on Webster that her side is set to line up against the number one team in the world. But she said the strategy is simple.

“It’s more about us than it is about them. We’re just focusing on what we can get right.

“We’ve just come out of a three month Olympic training camp in Canberra so we’re really happy to be given the opportunity to play the best team in the world in a beautiful city.

“To showcase our beautiful game in front of our family friends is really special. it’s an exciting time, it’s a selection time…. so tensions will be a little bit higher,” said Webster.

The USA Women’s team are the defending Olympic champions, remaining undefeated in 2019. Captain Maggie Steffens is thrilled to be back in Brisbane where she visited for her first tour to Australia back in 2008.

“We’re feeling good, we’re really excited to be here in Brisbane, it’s absolutely beautiful,” said Stefans.

“We love playing against Australia - they’re easily one of our toughest competitors.

“They’re one of the best in the world so we’re just excited to be here training with them and learning from them.”

KAP7 Aussie Sharks Captain Aaron Younger said fans can expect a close battle when they line up against USA.

“We’re probably two of the best non-European water polo nations in the world and we’re both in the final stages of our Olympic preparations… so there’ll be a few good games for sure,” said Younger.

“I don’t think we’ve had many opportunities in my entire career where we’ve been able to play a top nation at home with the opportunity to get the kids involved and amongst it...it’s an amazing feeling.

“It’s also great to see that we can bring the younger generation with the older and hope that they get inspired,” he said.

USA Men’s captain Jesse Smith was enjoying being back in Australia but admitted there will be little down time to take in all the great Brisbane sights because with under 200 days to go to Tokyo 2020, all squads are at the business end of their Olympic preparations.

“Australia has a lot of really good players and we’re in a similar boat. We’ve both qualified for the Olympics so that's why we’re here, so that both teams can rise and get better so that at the Olympics we have a great chance to get a medal... and I think they’re (Australia) feeling the same,” he said.

The Australian Men’s and Women’s Water Polo teams will join the Australian sporting community to support various bushfire appeals, donating $100 for every goal scored during the test series. Click here for more.

The Australia-USA test series will kick off tomorrow at Brisbane Aquatic Centre with the Aussie Stingers at 5pm, followed by the KAP7 Aussie Sharks at 6:30pm.

All KAP7 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships participants receive free entry to all three games.

Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/AUSvUSAtix

AUSTRALIA vs USA TEST SERIES

Test 1: Tuesday 14 January 2020

Time: 5:00pm Women’s Test, 6:30pm Men’s Test

Location: Brisbane Aquatic Centre

Test 2: Thursday 16 January 2020

Time: 6:30pm Men’s Test, 8:00pm Women’s Test

Location: Brisbane Aquatic Centre

Test 3: Saturday 18 January 2020

Time: 5:00pm Women’s Test, 6:30pm Men’s Test

Location: Brisbane Aquatic Centre