Choosing to Challenge this International Women’s Day

Monday 8 March we celebrate International Women’s Day and all the incredible women that participate in water polo, both past and present.

Women’s water polo in Australia has a very proud history spanning decades, including those women from coaches, players and administrators who lobbied tirelessly for women’s water polo to be included at the Olympic Games.

The theme this year’s International Women’s Day is Choose to Challenge because a challenged world is an alert world, you can choose to seek out and celebrate women from all walks of life. Sport provides a unique vehicle for celebrating the achievements and history of teams and individuals that have come before.

Tokyo Olympic Referee, Nicola Johnson, has worn many hats over the years within water polo… but when she lines up at the Tokyo Olympic Games, she’ll be the first female referee from Australia to do so.

“When I get to Tokyo it will be for me hopefully showing other younger women, that it can be done, you can reach the international stage as a female referee.

“I think refereeing is a pathway that so many people underestimate but it’s a fantastic way to stay part of the sport and provides so many great opportunities and career pathways.

“I hope when I represent Australia in Tokyo, players, coaches and junior referees will be watching and thinking about whether refereeing could provide them with a good pathway for the future,” she said.

Aussie Stingers’, Genevieve Longman said that this group of women is a testament to the teams of Aussie Stingers that have come before.

“I think our group is really aware of the history and how rich that history is. How incredible the 2000 women are and then the women that have come since,” she said.

As the Stingers prepare for Tokyo 2020 Longman commented on how lucky they are to have a group and environment that values the history and culture of the Aussie Stingers.

“I think that is what makes the Aussie Stingers so special and why you would be crazy not to want to be here.”