Aussie Stingers Name Team for Series Against the US
Three changes have been made to Aussie Stingers women's water polo team for the three match test series against the USA, which begins in Sydney on Tuesday.
Fresh off their history making win at the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne, the Stingers now head to Sydney for one game at Sydney Olympic Park before two more matches at the Sutherland Leisure Centre on Thursday and Friday.
The Pan Pacs win was Australia's first gold medal in Australia since their gold at the Commonwealth championships in Perth in 2006 and they will use the three tests versus America as a further stepping stone for their London 2012 campaign.
Head coach Greg McFadden said the changes from the Pan Pacs team had been made based on giving every player in the 19-person squad an opportunity to impress selectors.
"We have made three changes to the team that won the Pan Pacific Championships to give players who have performed well with the Barbarians or at the Canada Cup an opportunity to press for final selection in the Olympic squad," McFadden said.
"We are looking forward to a very hard week of tough games against the USA, as the games against them last week were very difficult. Hopefully we can continue with our good form and maintain our undefeated start to 2012.
"The team is really looking forward to these matches and continuing to work on improving the areas we have been working on since October."
After the US series the Stingers will name a 16-person squad for their final Olympic lead up tournaments, the FINA World League and the London Olympic test event.
Aussie Stingers
Alicia McCormack (1983, NSW), Lea Barta (1990, NSW), Bronwen Knox (QLD, 86), Kate Gynther (QLD,82), Glencora Ralph (WA, 88), Ashleigh Southern (QLD, 92), Nicola Zagame (NSW, 90), Jane Moran (QLD, 85), Holly Lincoln-Smith (NSW, 90), Rowena Webster (Vic, 87), Gemma Beadsworth (WA, 87), Melissa Rippon (QLD, 80), Sophie Smith (QLD, 86). Coaching Staff: Greg McFadden (Head Coach), Ryan Moar, Dalibor Maslan (Head Coaches), Jennifer Liessmann (Team Manager), James Trotter (Physio)
Aussie Stingers v USA test series
Game 1 - Tuesday January 17: Aus v USA @ SOPAC, 7.00pm start
Game 2 - Thursday January 19: Aus v USA @ Sutherland Leisure Centre, 7.00pm start
Game 3 - Friday January 20: Aus v USA @ Sutherland Leisure Centre, 7.00pm