Zoe Arancini to captain Aussie Stingers at FINA World League Intercontinental Cup

Dual Olympian Zoe Arancini has been named captain of the Aussie Stingers for the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup.

The competition is the first since the Tokyo Games for the National Teams and after a strong showing at home when Perth hosted the last FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in 2019, where the Aussie Sharks won gold and the Aussie Stingers took silver, they are looking for a strong return with a mix of youth and experience.

“Preparations are going really well, we have had a week in Peru which has been good. We’ve got a new coach and a fresh young crew, so we will be playing our systems, practicing those over and over again… As well as have some fun and enjoy it,” said Arancini

“We have a young squad… and some of them haven’t played international water polo in two years, so they are really excited to be playing,” said Arancini.

The Stingers are coached by former WAIS Men’s Water Polo Head Coach Paul Oberman.

“This tournament is a good opportunity for some international experience as there has been a lack of international games over the last three years. We will have six debutantes to cap up for Australia this week,” he said.

“We have athletes based in Europe, US colleges and Australia and even though we have had two camps, this group has only spent a few days together.

“The women are beginning to gel well with new tactics and getting a better understanding of each other.

Three WAIS athletes will line up for the Aussie Sharks in the men’s competition with Tokyo Olympian Tim Putt joined by Luke Pavillard and debutant John Hedges.