WATER POLO: Brothers Lachlan and Blake Edwards, from Ascot Vale, Melbourne, are set to become the latest set of siblings to represent the Australian men's water polo team after the pair was named in the Aussie Sharks squad for the FINA World League tour in May and June.
Rewarded for their stellar season in the National Water Polo League with the Victorian Seals, Lachlan and Blake Edwards will spearhead a Sharks squad that also includes dual Olympian and captain Richie Campbell and fellow London Olympians James Clark, Johnno Cotterill, Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger and Billy Miller.
Blake Edwards returns to the Sharks set up after playing a handful of games in 2010 and 2011, while Lachlan, who has represented his country at the FINA World Youth and World Junior Championships in 2012 an 2013, will make his senior debut as the team’s leading centre forward.
Also in the team is 2012 FINA World Championship squad members Nathan Power, Tyler Martin and Jarrod Gilchrist, and UWA Torpedoes duo Mitch Emery and George Ford, who have been on the periphery of the squad for the last few seasons.
The Sharks leave for Shanghai this Saturday as they begin preparations for the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup, which starts on Tuesday May 27.
The 14-man squad then embarks on a 13-day camp in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik – hometown of Sharks’ Croatian born head coach Elvis Fatovic – before flying to Dubai for the FINA World League Finals from June 17 to 22.
Fatovic said he was excited with his new, yet enterprising roster, and expected the young players relish the opportunity and show what they have to offer the team.
“We have a couple of new names in our team and it is going to be a great opportunity for them to show us and everyone their potential and expand the squad to have more players for the future,” Fatovic said.
“The results of the National League reflect the number of players from the various teams, so the quality of the Final Series and preparation the clubs have made for the finals, gave their athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills to our coaching staff.
“There will be many players making their debut and it is a huge step up from their national to International level.
“I am very stratified with the effort that everyone has put into this weeks camp and I am very satisfied with the three players whom missed out on being selected and for sure they will be part of my plan for the future.”
The Sharks will be among the favoured nations at the Intercontinental Cup next week, when they take on old foes the USA, Group A rivals Japan, Canada, and Kazakhstan, emerging force Brazil and a two pronged attack from hosts China.
A place in the FINA World League Finals in Dubai is up for grabs, with the team’s ultimate goal a top place finish at the 2014 FINA World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey in August.
Centre forward Joe Kayes will travel with the team on their FINA World League tour as a training player.
Aussie Sharks Squad FINA World League (May 24 - June 22)
James Clark (NSW), Ed Slade (WA), Aaron Younger (WA), Richie Campbell (NSW), Nathan Power (NSW), George Ford (WA), Joe Kayes (WA), Mitch Emery (WA/NSW), Tyler Martin (NSW), Johnno Cotterill (NSW), Billy Miller (Qld), Jarrod Gilchrist (NSW/Vic), Blake Edwards (Vic), Lachlan Edwards (Vic), Aidan Roach (NSW)
Water Polo Australia
