Aussie Sharks head coach John Fox has named a 19-man squad to participate in the first senior men’s team training camp of the new preparation.
 
The players will gather in Melbourne from October 9-12 for what are essentially the first steps towards next year’s London Olympics.
 
Features of the squad include the return of 2008 Beijing Olympic team captain Thomas Whalan and the elevation to senior duty for the first time to Fremantle’s Sam Quinn and Balmain goalkeeper James Clark.
 
Another set to debut at an Australian senior camp is former Italian Sam Avalone who is currently awaiting citizenship ahead of the 2012 international season.
 
Fox said this group of players had the first opportunity to press their claims for Olympic selection but the door was still open for others to stake a claim.  
 
"The journey to the London Olympics is well and truly underway and these players have earnt their positions in this first training squad of this preparation,” Fox said.
 
"For those players that have missed out this time the opportunity is now there to train harder and earn inclusion for future camps."
 
Australia’s contingent of overseas players were not considered for this camp including 2011 FINA World Championships team members Rob Maitland, Anthony Martin, Joel Dennerley, Aaron Younger and Aidan Roach.
 
Australian squad:
 
John Hahn, Mitch Baird, Richie Campbell, Gav Woods, Thomas Whalan, James Clark, Lachlan Hollis, Sam Avalone, Chris Dyson (all NSW), Jamie Beadsworth, Sam Quinn, Joel Swift, Tim Cleland (all WA), Rhys Howden, Billy Miller, Dan Young (all QLD), Sam McGregor, Jarrod Gilchrist, Carl Zveken (all VIC)

Australian Water Polo Inc.