Water Polo Australia has recently announced the Australian Women’s Junior Development team, who will embark on a thrilling tour of the United States of America (USA). Comprising talented players, this squad has been carefully selected to provide them with valuable development opportunities leading up to the highly anticipated 2024 World Aquatics 18&U Women’s Water Polo Championships, 2025 World Aquatics 20&U Women’s Water Polo Championships, and future World University Games.

Guiding the team on their USA tour will be the esteemed Rowie Webster, former captain of the Aussie Stingers and current Australian Institute of Sport National Generation 2032 Coach. During their time in the USA, the team will have the privilege of training and competing against some of the top water polo teams in the country, including the USA Pipeline Squad, Santa Barbara, San Diego, SoCAL, SET, Lamorinda, Newport, and Corona Del Mar. Additionally, they will participate in the highly competitive USA Senior Nationals.

Webster expressed her enthusiasm for the tour, emphasizing the value it holds for the players. She stated, “This tour will provide our pathways players with exposure to international competition, enabling them to establish strong habits, develop cohesion, foster trust, and execute our playing style.” For many players, this will be their first opportunity to compete overseas, challenging themselves in unfamiliar conditions against unfamiliar opponents. Webster believes that this experience will provide valuable insights and preparation for high-performance endeavors.

The significance of this tour extends beyond exposure to international competition. Webster highlighted the importance of the players’ decision-making abilities at the international level, emphasizing the cultivation of confidence in executing their unique dominant qualities. This tour presents a crucial opportunity for the team to enhance their understanding of the international game and elevate their performance.

Comprising athletes from various National Age Group Program squads, the touring team represents the culmination of years of hard work and outstanding performances at camps and competitions throughout Australia. The diversity within the squad fosters an environment of mutual learning, where players can benefit from each other’s expertise and experiences.

Webster also underscored the importance of forging strong relationships among players from different age groups. She stated, “Bringing together players from different age groups is a great chance for them to create strong relationships with other Australian players, enjoy the experience of being on tour, and showcase our sport of water polo.” This camaraderie will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s cohesion and overall success.

The Australian Women’s Junior Development team, comprised of talented individuals such as Jade Arnold, Georgia Ellison, Karly Flahive, Mia Freeman, Meg Hofstee, Chelsea Johnson, Nancy Lee, Stela Lovrinovic-Kaic, Phoebe McGuire, Poppy Phillips, Charley Porter, Jemma Potts, Victoria Ridhalgh, Bella Sayer, and Mimi Stoupas, is poised to embark on an unforgettable journey of growth and achievement. With a focus on self-improvement and embracing every challenge, this talented group is set to leave a lasting impression on the international water polo stage.

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Photo Courtesy Water Polo Australia

Courtesy Water Polo Australia