Australia claim bronze at inaugural Beach Polo World Championships 

Australia’s women’s beach polo team has taken bronze at the FINA World Championships after defeating China 20-16.

The invitational competition was held at the World Championships for the first time this year, with to FINA Technical Water Polo Committee member Andy Hoepelman declaring the fast-format beach water polo is here to stay.

Head Coach for the Australia, Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist Taryn Woods, said the Beach Polo has been a great addition to the international water polo calendar and there are lots of learnings for everyone. 

“It’s been an interesting tournament for the FINA Officials, for the teams… it’s been a learning on the go experience. 

“There is lots of talk about how we can tweak the rules and do things a lit bit differently to keep the game fast and keep the game exciting.

“I think the girls have worked really hard and improved with every game, and that’s all we can ask.  It’s been a lot of fun.  

“It’s a really exciting development for water polo. We are looking to more beach water polo.

Australia’s Morgan Baxter couldn’t hide the excitement the Aussies felt after a great win in their final match. 

“I’m feeling pretty stoked, I’m really elated…. It was such an exciting match to play.

“It was an awesome tournament to be apart of.  It feels pretty goo to be part of a history making team,” she said. 

The chair of the beach water polo committee, Ken Kuroda (JPN), has suggested that rule changes would refine the discipline like flying subs, goalkeeper being allowed to score goals and perhaps five-minute quarters as opposed to the current 10-minute halves.

From the referee’s perspective, Frank Ohme (GER) says: “ You have to have one eye seeing whether a goal has been scored while the other eye is checking the counter-attack.

“There is a diversity of players, swimming, strong centres and it’s not as physical as normal water polo. The cleverness of the player is most important.”

Australia claimed third place with a 20-16 score against China after leading 9-8 at halftime. Morgan Baxter led her team’s scoring with seven goals.