Aussie Stingers team for FINA World Cup announced

The Australian Women’s Water Polo team, the Aussie Stingers, has announced the team for the FINA Women’s World Cup in Surgut, Russia next week.

Held every four years the World Cup will form an important part of the Aussie Stingers campaign building towards Tokyo 2020, with eight teams to go head to head.

Australia will face a tough draw coming up against the home side Russia, as well as powerhouse Spain and China.

Coming off training camps against both Spain and China in recent months, the Stingers will be familiar with their opponents, but readying themselves for two hard clashes.

Aussie Stingers captain Rowie Webster says with just under two years to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this will form an important stepping block for the side.

“The World Cup is really important for us, we’ve been building towards this for the past few years under a new coach. It will be a good test for us as we mix it against the best in the world.

“Ahead of the World Championships next year in South Korea, the World Cup will be a significant step for us,” said Webster.

Hosting the Chinese team earlier this month, followed by a three tough games against reigning World Cup champions USA in California, Australia’s captain says they have had a solid preparation.

“We had a really successful training camp leading in. It was a tough few weeks, battling through the fatigue, but I think we’ve come out of it really strong.

“Our approach in Russia really will be to take it game by game, put together four good quarters of water polo and not look too far into the future.

“Playing in Russia in Russia will be pretty special and we’re expecting a really exciting atmosphere,” she said.

Aussie Stingers 2018 FINA World Cup Team:

Lilian Hedges, WA
Keesja Gofers, NSW
Hannah Buckling, NSW
Bronte Halligan, NSW
Isobel Bishop, NSW
Bronwen Knox, QLD
Rowie Webster, VIC
Amy Ridge, NSW
Zoe Arancini, WA
Alice Williams, QLD
Morgan Baxter, NSW
Pascalle Casey, NSW
Gabriella Palm, QLD

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Australia’s FINA Women’s World Cup Schedule:

• Day 1 Tuesday, 4 September – AUS vs CHN 1600 (9:00pm AEST)
• Day 2 Wednesday, 5 September – AUS vs RUS 1930 (6 August 12:30am AEST)
• Day 3 Thursday, 6 September – AUS vs ESP 1630 (9:30pm AEST)
• Days 4-6, 7-9 September – TBC

Image: Catharyn Hayne Photography, USA WP Photographer