The Australian Women’s U/18 National Water Polo Team finished a formidable fourth place at the FINA Youth World Championships that wrapped up this week. The team featured Sydney University Women’s Water Polo Club’s Carla Traplin, Matilda Kearns and goalkeeper Lily Hawthorn along with Assistant Coach/Team Manager Debbie Watson.
The Aussie’s got off to a great start at the tournament defeating Uzbekistan 18-5 in Game 1, with Uni’s Carla Traplin named MVP following a five goal haul. Next they defeated Brazil 15-6, Kearns earning MVP honours. Matilda Kearns was awarded her second MVP award honours in as many matches after scoring five goals in Australia’s 9-9 draw with Greece.
Next up they took on Canada and finished with a hard-fought 6-3 victory, progressing them into the top at the World Championships. Traplin also earned her second MVP honour after her crucial goal scoring efforts throughout the match.
After a fantastic run through the round games, the Aussies took on a tough Netherland’s outfit in the quarter finals. Australia produced another all-round team performance keeping their medal aspirations alive, winning 8-7.
The Australian youth women’s team suffered their first defeat of the Championships in the Semi Final match against Italy going down, 5-7.
They came up against Greece for the second time of the tournament in the Bronze medal match. A tight tussle developed between the two sides, however Greece came out on top 7-3 to take bronze.
Highlighting the strength of the club, four Sydney University Women’s Water Polo Club members have been selected in the Australian Stingers side to compete at the FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup hosted in Surgut, Russia.
Keesja Gofers, Hannah Buckling, Isobel Bishop and Bronte Halligan will take to the pool at 9pm AEST tonight (4th September) for the Stingers against China. They will then take on host nation Russia and water polo powerhouse Spain, in their other round games. The other pool features the USA, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.
World Cup Schedule
|
Game |
Date |
Match |
Local Time |
AEST Time |
|
1 |
4 September |
AUS v CHN |
4:00pm |
9:00pm |
|
2 |
5 September |
AUS v RSA |
7:30pm |
12:30am (6/9) |
|
3 |
6 September |
AUS v ESP |
4:30pm |
9:30pm |
The World Cup Quarter Finals will be held on 14 September, with the Semi to be held on 15th and the Final on the 16th.
Held every four years the World Cup will form an important part of the Aussie Stingers campaign building towards the 2019 World Championships in South Korea and Tokyo 2020, with eight teams to go head to head.
