Five WAIS Athletes Named in Junior World Champ Squad

Western Australia has finished runner up to NSW A at the Under-18 National Championships in Melbourne after being edged out in a penalty shoot-out in the final.

Five WAIS scholarship holders represented WA with Aaron Younger, James Fannon, Edward Slade, Perry Short and Jack Collier all enjoying successful campaigns in the under age competition.

Western Australia had looked a strong prospect to take out the week long tournament after winning all of their round robin matches, but NSW A lifted in the final and held their nerve to win in a penalty shoot-out.

Aaron Younger completed a brilliant campaign individually by being named the tournament MVP as well as topping the goal scoring charts.

Western Australian Institute of Sport men’s water polo Coach Paul Oberman believed the WAIS scholarship holders in the WA squad gave a good account of themselves and was pleased with their efforts across the week.

“Allfive WAIS scholarship holders’performances were above what I expected from them and in comparison to the rest of the competition were very pleasing,” Oberman said.

Younger, Fannon, Slade, Short and Collier were all named in Water Polo Australia’s initial squad of 16 for this year’s World junior Under-18 Championships, which are to be staged in Croatia.

In addition to the five WAIS athletes selected in the squad, fellow West Australian Nick Redbond was also included in the squad that is to be trimmed to 13 members before departure.