WAIS Water Polo Athletes Making Splash for Australia

August has been a busy month for WAIS junior water polo athletes with nine scholarship holders involved in European competition.

WAIS had four representatives on the Australian Junior team at the FINA women’s water polo world championships in Russia, with Zoe Arancini, Rachel Flint, Claire Pierce and Eliesha Browne all part of the squad that defeated Spain for seventh place. WAIS Head Coach of women’s water polo Peter Szilagyi was coach of the Australian junior team.

The result was not what Australia had been hoping for, having only once missed out on a medal before in 2003. Australia was defending champions at this age level, but bowed out at the quarter final stage to the USA.

The victory over Spain was a bright spot, albeit when the pressure was off, leading 3-1 at the quarter and 5-1 early in the second quarter before stepping off the gas.

Spain responded to level the game at 6-all midway through the third quarter before a three-goal burst by the Aussies had the game in hand at 9-6 going into the last period.

When Bre Appel sent in a long lob with three minutes remaining – her third goal – the game was all but over.

Russia beat the Netherlands 14-9 for the gold medal, giving it a complete set at world juniors.

Twice champion United States of America outlasted Hungary 11-8 for the bronze, bringing its total number of medals level with Australia.

WAIS had five of its men’s scholarship holders in action at the High Tatras Cup in Slovakia. Aaron Younger, James Fannon, Nicholas Redbond, Edward Slade and Perry Short all featured for Australia in the junior men’s bronze winning campaign.

Australia defeated Croatia 8-7 in the bronze medal play off to leave the tournament with three wins, two draws and a single loss to italy.

The five WAIS scholarship holders will now travel to Sibenik, Croatia for the August 22-30 World Junior Championships.