Three Western Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holders have been named in Australia’s 16-strong men’s water polo team for the FINA World League Intercontinental Competition in California later this month.
24 year-old Joel Swift has been named alongside emerging WAIS talents George Ford (22) and Luke Pavillard (19) in coach Elvis Fatovic’s side.
Strengthened centre forward stocks will underscore the campaign of the Australian team at the Intercontinental tournament, with head coach Fatovic planning on selecting at least two specialist centre forwards for the event.
Fatovic’s initial squad of 16 players will take part in a training camp in Colorado Springs a week prior to the world league, before reducing the squad to a team of 13 players for the official FINA event.
In the squad of 16 are three specialist centre forwards in Joel Swift, Victoria’s Lachlan Edwards and News South Welshman Gordon Marshall, with Swift the most experienced of the trio, having been a key member of the Sharks squad at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
The Sharks coach outlined his intention to have the Aussies adapt to a game plan that includes more than one centre forward during the training camp.
“This will be our first proper tournament with two centre forwards, so we will not be disadvantaged like we have been previously, so we don’t need to find an alternative attacking system, which means we can use this to our benefit,” Fatovic said.
“We will train against the USA in Colorado Springs as they are a highly motivating training partner and were good to work with in Perth earlier this year. They will help us improve our structure so we can hit the ground running in California.”
Meanwhile, highly rated Western Australian Institute of Sport athlete Aaron Younger will be unable to join the team due to commitments with Croatian club VK Jug, who have qualified for the final six playoffs in the European League. Fellow Western Australian and talented young left hander Luke Pavillard will replace Younger.
Fatovic said that he was satisfied with Pavillard’s form at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Series in Perth, however noted that the teenager needs to refine a few key areas of his game if he hopes to make the team for the world league.
“I was satisfied with Luke’s performance in Perth, he has great potential but still has a lot to learn in relation to defence and making the most of attacking opportunities,” Fatovic said.
“I expect him to adapt quickly to the way we play the game, however his form tells me that he deserves to be in the squad, and like any member of the Sharks will have the respect of myself and the team, irrespective of his relative inexperience internationally.
“He is also our only left hander, so he needs to grab the opportunity to be a part of our team on this tour and make the most of it.”
-WaterPoloAus
