Australian World Championship Water Polo Teams Finalised

Published On: 5 July 2019

The Australian men’s and women’s water polo squads for the FINA World Championships have been finalised, with five WA athletes earning selection.

Aaron Younger will skipper the Australian Sharks, where he will be joined by three of his fellow statesmen, whilst Zoe Arancini will be one of the senior leaders for the Australian Stingers team.

Brothers George and Andrew Ford make the team for the Sharks with Tim Putt to make his second World Championships appearance for Australia.

There was disappointment for Western Australian goalkeeper Lilian Hedges – who was trimmed from the final 13 for the Stingers.

Coming off a bronze medal from the recent World League Super Final campaign, Younger said that his hopes were that his experienced Sharks team could take another big step at this year’s benchmark event.

“The team has been working on this for many years now… a lot of the boys have been around for a long time. Things are starting to work and click in the team,” said Younger.

“The team has good momentum at the moment so hopefully we can use that momentum leading into the World Championships,” he said.

To set the tournament up well the Aussie Sharks will be looking to top their group but will come up against defending World Champions Croatia in the opening match.

“A large part of our tournament will be in the first four games, obviously we’ve got the three group games and then either quarter final or the crossover game.”

“We are looking to hit the ground running from the first game, try and top the group, try and get a win against Croatia and see how we go from there.”

“(We’re) definitely looking to be at our peak in that first week,” he said.

 

FINA WORLD CHAMPS SCHEDULE

Sunday 14/07/19 – WOMEN
Australia vs Italy
Time: 20:30 (local), 21:30 (AEST)

Monday 15/07/19 – MEN
Australia vs Croatia
Time: 12:30pm (local), 13:30 (AEST)

Tuesday 16/07/19 – WOMEN
Australia vs China
Time: 16:30 (local), 17:30 (AEST)

Wednesday 17/07/19 – MEN
Australia vs Kazakhstan
Time: 08:30 (local) 09:30 (AEST)

Thursday 18/07/19 – WOMEN
Australia vs Japan
Time: 11:10 (local) 12:10pm (AEST)

Friday 19/07/19 – MEN
Australia vs USA
Time: 19:10 (local), 20:10 (AEST)

Cross-over matches (TBC)
Women – Saturday 20 July 2019
Men – Sunday 21 July 2019