WATER POLO: Former New Zealander Joe Kayes will return to Australia this week in what is hoped will be the next step in keeping alive his dream to represent the Australian men’s water polo team at the Rio Olympics.
Despite becoming an Australian citizen in June this year, Kayes bid to represent the Aussie Sharks was stopped short on the eve of July’s world championships, the sport’s governing body FINA citing failure to meet the change of sport national eligibility rules as justification for their rejection of his application.
With less than a year until the Rio Olympic Games, Water Polo Australia (WPA) have appealed FINA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration For Sport (CAS), CEO Chris Harrison saying that Kayes' return to Australia is the next step in the appeal process.
“Our legal advice is that Joe needs to be in the country and we are hoping for a CAS hearing shortly,” Harrison said.
“It’s not Joe’s fault that he is in the position where he has to return to Australia, and we are mindful that this is a delicate situation for him to be in.
“Joe has had his professional playing contract with Hungarian club OSC put on hold and we are cognisant of the support they have shown in allowing Joe to aim for a selection on the Australian Olympic team.”
It is expected that Kayes will return to Australia to prepare for the upcoming National Water Polo League season with a Sydney-based club as he awaits the final CAS hearing.
If successful, Kayes will be able to fulfil his contractual commitments with OSC, while also being cleared to represent Australia at the Olympic Games next August.