History-making Australian Olympic water polo player Bronwen Knox will be joined by the daughters of two footballing legends in a 13-strong Tokyo-bound women’s team named on the Sunshine Coast today.
Knox, at 33, will become the first Australian woman to compete in four Olympic Games after making her debut with Beijing bronze in 2008.
While Matilda “Tilly” Kearns – daughter of Wallaby legend Phil Kearns and Bronte Halligan – daughter of New Zealand’s prolific NRL goal kicking winger Daryl Halligan are among seven Olympic rookies named on the team – continuing their famous fathers into the top echelon of international sport.
BEAUTIES and the BEASTS: Olympic water polo debutants Matilda Kearns (left) and Bronte Halligan (Photos Courtesy: Australian Olympic Committee) and below famous footballing fathers Wallaby captain Phil Kearns (left) and NRL goalkicking wizard Daryl Halligan. Photos Courtesy (ARU and NRL).
Abby Andews and Kearns, both 20, will become the third and fourth youngest Olympic caps.
Captain Rowie Webster has been selected for her third Games while Rio Olympians Zoe Arancini, Keesja
Gofers, Hannah Buckling and goal keeping mum Lea Yanitsas return for their second Games.
Elle Armit, Lena Mihailovic, Gabriella Palm, Amy Ridge join Halligan, Kearns and Andrews in making their Olympic debuts.
Since women’s water polo was introduced at the Sydney 2000 Games where Australia won a dramatic final second gold medal against the USA the Stingers have finished fourth in 2004; won bronze in Beijing in 2008 and in London in 2012 and were sixth in Rio.
Webster, at 33, was ecstatic to be named captain in her third Olympic Team and was also full of praise for Knox.
“It’s unbelievable to be announced as Captain of an Olympic team,” Webster said.
“To be able to lead out an incredible group of women, it will truly be the honour of a lifetime and a childhood dream come true.”
“Hearing the words “you’re going to the Olympics” from your head coach is special. I probably didn’t realise how much I needed to hear those words finally being said.
FLAGGED FOR SUCCESS: Australian captain Rowie Webster will lead this team from the front. Photo Courtesy: Australian Olympic Committee.
“What I’m most excited about this Aussie Stingers team is the different skills and variety in the team makeup. You have someone like Bron Knox, whose composure and experience you can’t buy… it’s been an honour to play alongside her for so many years. On the other hand you have so many fresh faces in the team and to see their growth during this Olympic cycle and the enthusiasm they will carry into Tokyo, complements our team so well.”
Halligan, at 24, says today’s selection is a dream 17 years in the making, with just missing the Team for Rio driving her to even greater heights.
“I was 8-years-old when I decided I wanted to go to the Olympics,” Halligan said.
“I remember sitting there with my mum watching the 2004 Athens Olympics and said to her ‘I’ll be the one of your kids to take you to an Olympics.’
Back then, I didn’t even know what water polo was ,but I knew I wanted to go to the Olympics.
“As soon as I didn’t make the Rio team, I said to my parents that I would not be giving up and was even more determined I would be there come Tokyo. I learnt a lot through that Rio cycle. From then I made sure I put everything on the line, went overseas to play in the College system and learn from internationals and made sure I put myself in the best possible position to make the team. Now it’s here and I couldn’t be happier.”
Head coach Predrag Mihailovic said the team was united in their goals for Tokyo.
“I’m very proud of the team selected, it was a hard decision,” Mihaovic said. “We have a very good culture with individuals having their own goals and team goals. We are on the right track as a united group, we are getting comfortable in uncomfortable situations.”
“’There is a really great atmosphere in the team at the moment, in the last block of training there was plenty of hard training with the girls responding well. I am happy where we are, our preparations are the best they can be in these circumstances.”
Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman congratulated the players on their selection.
“These are a tight knit, committed group of athletes who have shown incredible determination to make it through the trials of the pandemic to secure their spot in representing their country at this Olympic Games,” Mr Chesterman said.
“I congratulate them all and thank not only the athletes but all the coaching and support staff that have supported them on this incredible road to Tokyo.
FLYING HIGH: Australia’s women’s water polo team with Qantas boarding passes and Kiminos at the official announcement of the team for Tokyo.Photo Courtesy Australian Olympic Committee.Photo Courtesy: Australian Olympic Committee.
“Our Water Polo team have an incredible record at the Olympics and I know this group, lead by Rowie Webster, is determined to add to that. Congratulations to all the players named to the Australian Olympic Team today.
“I also want to single out Bronwen – making a single Olympic is a phenomenal achievement, but to make a fourth Olympic Team is a rare and special milestone.”
“While we’re celebrating the announcement here today at the team’s training camp on the Sunshine Coast it’s also a great day for families, friends, supporters, teammates and coaches, right around the country, who have helped these 13 athletes achieve their Olympic dream.
The 2021 Australian women’s Olympic Water Polo Team:
YEAH BABY: Proud mum Lea Yanitas saving goals for the Stingers and now a dual Olympian. Photo Courtesy: Harvie Alison (Water Polo Australia).
Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo – Water Polo Women: Abby Andews (QLD), Zoe Arancini (WA), Elle Armit (QLD), Hannah Buckling (NSW), Keesja Gofers (NSW), Bronte Halligan (NSW), Matilda Kearns (NSW), Bronwen Knox (QLD), Lena Mihailovic (NSW), Gabriella Palm (QLD), Amy Ridge (NSW), Rowie Webster (VIC), Lea Yanitsas (NSW).
The team will start its campaign at Tokyo’s Tatsumi Water Polo centre on 24 July 2021, with Australia drawn in Pool A with European Champions Spain, Netherlands, Canada and South Africa.
Today’s selection brings the number of selected athletes in the Australian Olympic Team to 124 of an expected 450-480
FULL ATHLETE BIOS AVAILABLE HERE
Find out more with full athlete Bios at https://www.olympics.com.au/games/tokyo-2020/team/
TALENT POOL: Australia’s Olympic water polo team cooling off after today’s big announcement..Tokyo here we come. Photo Courtesy: Australian Olympic Committee.