ORD MINNETT AUSSIE STINGERS EYE OFF OLYMPIC BERTH IN NEW ZEALAND

The Australian Women’s water polo team have arrived in Auckland ahead of the Oceania Olympic Qualifiers against New Zealand this weekend.

WIth less than 12 months to go to the Paris Olympic Games, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will match up against trans tasman rivals New Zealand in a best of three test match series at Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre.

Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers Head Coach Paul Oberman said his team are ready for the challenge that lies ahead this weekend.

“It’s certainly going to be a very tough series against New Zealand this weekend,” Oberman said.

“None of our team have ever played in a series like this, with Olympic qualification on the line…it’s very different to a normal test match series.

“New Zealand are a tough team, and they’ve had some very good results recently. We need to go out, and put our best foot forward,” he said.

After finishing fourth at the World Aquatics Championships earlier this month, Oberman believes his team are in the best position possible to earn the Olympic spot.

“We’ll be taking a lot of confidence from our result at the World Championships into the Olympic qualifiers this weekend,” Oberman said.

“A fourth place in Japan just proves that we do belong amongst the names of the best teams in the world, and it shows that we’ve got some very good players as well.

“Earning the Olympic quota this weekend would be the best result for us. It would then give us the opportunity to continue to work on our game and style - developing the things that we’re good at and also building on the areas for improvement as well,” he said.

Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers squad member Alice Williams said it is a unique opportunity that her team are looking to capitalise on.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity that we have this weekend and we’re all working hard to make sure we can secure the Olympic spot,” Williams said.

“A win this weekend will give us the reassurance that we’ve got 12 months to focus solely on performance.

“Making it into top four at the World Aquatics Championships was a really big achievement for us, and we’re always looking for opportunities to improve and get better.

“Playing New Zealand will be good for us to put our tactics into effect, and we’ll take in the confidence we gained in each other and our systems from the World Championships,” she said.

OCEANIA OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Game 1 | Australia v New Zealand | Friday 11 August | 5.30pm AEST / 7.30pm NZST | WATCH LIVE

Game 2 | Australia v New Zealand | Saturday 12 August | 4pm AEST / 6pm NZST | WATCH LIVE

Game 3 | Australia v New Zealand | Sunday 13 August | (If required)