World League success

The Australian men’s and women’s water polo teams have completed the perfect warm up ahead of the 2011 FINA World League finals after finishing a flawless preliminary round in Sydney on Friday.

The men’s team, the Sharks, disposed of China 9-5 in the final match of their preliminary tournament, with 13 of the 15 Australian athletes being scholarship holders. Although the match was a dead rubber as both teams had already qualified for the finals, the hit out still proved an important piece in Australia’s preparation for the world league finals and world championships.

NSWIS athletes AJ Roach, Mitch Baird and RIchie Campbell each scored two goals in the win, while Tom Whalan also chipped in with one goal.

The NSWIS athletes in the men’s team were Roach, Baird, Campbell, Whalan, Carl Zvekan, Trent Franklin, Steve Cody, Chris Dyson, Mitch Emery, Gavin Woods and Tyler Martin.

The women’s team, the Stingers, scored six goals in the second quarter to top the group of the preliminary rounds, defeating China 9-7 in the round’s final match. NSWIS athlete Holly Lincoln-Smith scored two goals and was joined Nicola Zagame on the scoresheet with one goal.

The NSWIS athletes in the women’s team were Lincoln-Smith, Zagame, Patrice O’Neill, Keesja Gofers, Rebecca Rippon and Lea Barta.

The finals of the 2011 FINA World League will be played in Tianjin (women) from June 14-19, and Florence (men) from June 21-26 2011.

Following on from the world league finals will be the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, from July 16-31 2011.