WATER POLO: The National Water Polo League (NWPL) Final will return to Melbourne after more than 20 years, as the top six men’s and women’s teams from around the country converge to battle it out from 11-13 March.
There is more than just the NWPL title at stake, with Olympic selection also up for grabs with the Rio Games less than 150 days away.
Among those competing for selection, London bronze medallist Rowie Webster (Victorian Seals), who will captain her side in front of a home crowd for the first time.
“It’s every team´s goal to compete in the finals at the end of the national league season. To compete on home turf and in front of friends and family is a really exciting thought. I am excited for our younger players, who have never competed in the finals, to experience possibly the highest level of competition they’ve ever had,” said Webster.
Recently returning from the World League Tournament in Texas, where the Stingers took silver to world number one USA, Webster said the road to Rio is on track for Australia’s Women’s Water Polo team.
“We are building towards Rio as individuals vying for selection and as a team striving to be the best.”
“All the hard training will have been completed come the Rio Olympics, it will come down to the one percenters.”
“Rankings don’t count, past champions have no greater chance of winning gold than anyone else. I believe it purely comes down to guts, execution and team belief,” she said.
Missing half of the National Water Polo League season due to knee surgery, dual Olympian Richie Campbell is back in the pool and ready for an intense three days of finals action.
“I think this weekend for me is important to see where I am at, after coming back from injury. It will be good for me to have high pressure games and to be able to perform at 100 per cent.”
“Recovery has been going really well. Since surgery in late November I have been well looked after by our national team doctors and physios.”
“My knee feels better than ever. Although it was disappointing to miss half the season, I had to take into consideration my preparation for Rio later this year,” said Campbell.
UNSW West Magpies won the NWPL title in 2015, but he admitted they won’t be focused just on taking back to back titles.
“We are trying not to think about defending the title. We have so many new faces in this team compared to the last two seasons so for this Wests team we are going for our first title.”
“In saying this, we are feeling confident in our systems and the preparation we have done in the lead up to the finals.”
“Melbourne loves putting on a show for water polo, so I’m expecting actual fireworks out of the pool and also in the pool, with some quality water polo action,” he said.
This weekend will see the country’s top six women’s and men’s teams take part in the finals program from 11-13 March, with the National Water Polo League Final returning to Melbourne after 20 years.
MEN'S TEAMS
1. Sydney University Lions
2. UNSW West Magpies
3. Victorian Seals
4. UWA Torpedoes
5. Drummoyne Devils
6. Cronulla Sharks
WOMEN'S TEAMS
1. Brisbane Barracudas
2. Sydney University Lions
3. Cronulla Sharks
4. Fremantle Marlins
5. Victorian Seals
6. UWA Torpedoes
TV Coverage of the Finals
Gold medal games can be viewed on the following platforms:
– Live & Free in Melbourne & Geelong on Channel 31 (Digital 44)
– Live streamed online via www.c31.org.au/live
– Live across Australia via Foxtel’s Channel Aurora (ch 183)
Also follow our live reporting throughout the finals on twitter via #NWPL16.
Water polo Australia
