Aussie Sharks Name Second Squad for Olympic Training Camps
Australian men’s water polo coach John Fox has named a reduced 17-man squad for next month’s second Aussie Sharks training camp to be held in Sydney from November 13-16.
There are five omissions from the original squad, allowing for Mitch Emery, Luke Quinlivan and Blake Edwards to come back into the set up and show their Olympic credentials.
Edwards, who has played seven tests for Australia, is the only Victorian in the new training squad outside of Sharks’ captain Sam McGregor.
While the 19-year-old would love to be part of the final Olympic squad come August next year, Edwards believes it will be a tough process to make the cut for London and is just happy to learn some valuable lessons from his peers.
“I don’t have a high expectation to make this team as I see the Rio Olympics as a more realistic goal, but I am definitely looking forward to training with some of the senior guys and getting a taste of John’s system,” Edwards said.
“I think I am too young and inexperienced at the moment but this is a great opportunity to learn off guys like Sam McGregor and try and fit into the structures of the team.”
Western Australia’s Luke Quinlivan makes a return to the squad having played for the Sharks at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai and will be looking to cement one of the goalkeeping positions.
Australia’s overseas contingent of Rob Maitland, Anthony Martin, Joel Dennerley, Aaron Younger, Johnno Cotterill and Aidan Roach have just commenced their respective international club seasons and were again not considered for this camp.
The squad is:
Samuele Avallone NSW, Mitch Baird NSW, Jamie Beadsworth WA, Richie Campbell NSW, James Clark NSW, Tim Cleland WA, Blake Edwards Vic, Mitch Emery NSW, John Hahn NSW, Lachlan Hollis NSW, Rhys Howden Qld, Billy Miller Qld, Sam McGregor Vic, Joel Swift WA, Luke Quinlivan WA, Thomas Whalan NSW, Gavin Woods NSW