Stingers Seventh at World League

A new look Australian Women’s Water Polo team has finished in seventh place at the FINA World League Super Final in China after a 10-8 win over Japan.

The Tournament was the first major test for the new look Aussie Stingers that featured many new faces to the senior side, including WA talent Dayna O’Leary who joined Lilian Hedges and Jessica Zimmerman.

New Head Coach Sakis Kechagias was pleased with his side’s final game of the Tournament, but admitted the team has a lot of areas to focus on ahead of the FINA World Championships next month in Budapest, Hungary.

“It was a good game for us on both sides. We remained in the game in the last quarter when Japan came back.

“It was good for us. We have other things to correct and work on. It is the beginning of a process (newly appointed coach) and we will try to get better.”

Australian Team Captain Rowie Webster celebrated her 250th Australian Team cap during the Tournament, a huge milestone for the dual Olympian.

“Capping up for my first Australian Senior Women’s was a dream come true as a 17 year old. Reflecting on my career this far and to be honoured in the 250 club is a pretty special moment. Not to mention that my first cap and 250th cap were both played in China,” said Webster.

“My journey with the Aussie Stingers has taught me that hard work, consistency and a love for the game can take you long way and I can’t wait for the challenges that are ahead for me as an individual and for this team,” she said.

The side will now need to regroup ahead of the FINA World Championships which kicks off on the 16 July in Budapest where they will meet Russia, Kazakhstan and Greece in the preliminary rounds.

Meanwhile, the Australian men’s team has lost its opening match of a tour series against Olympic champion Serbia, 14-5. The Sharks squad includes seven West Australians.

-WaterPoloAus