Celebrating NSW Water Polo Triumphs at Paris 2024 Olympics
Published Thu 15 Aug 2024
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a triumph for Australian water polo, with NSW athletes playing pivotal roles in both the Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks teams. The Stingers' silver medal and the Sharks' commendable 8th place finish are achievements that will be remembered for years to come, particularly here in New South Wales.
The Australian women's water polo team's remarkable achievement marks their first appearance in the gold medal match in 24 years, a feat that has reignited the nation's interest in water polo. The 8th place finish of the Australian men's water polo team came after defeating eventual gold medalists Serbia and 4th placed Hungary in the preliminary rounds, demonstrating the Sharks' prowess on the global stage.
A Historic Journey for the Stingers
The Aussie Stingers, led by NSW head coach Bec Rippon, have etched their names in history with a series of awe-inspiring performances. Their journey to the silver medal was filled with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments, many of which featured standout performances from NSW athletes.
Perhaps the most significant highlight was their victory over Team USA, a powerhouse in women's water polo, marking the first time Australia has beaten the USA at the Olympics since the Sydney 2000 Games. This victory was a testament to the team's skill, strategy, and relentless spirit, with NSW athletes playing crucial roles.
NSW athlete Bronte Halligan was particularly impressive throughout the tournament, securing the most steals (13) and assists (13) in the women's Olympic competition. Her performance exemplifies the high calibre of water polo talent nurtured in New South Wales.
Despite the loss in the gold medal match to world number one team Spain, the Stingers' silver medal is a symbol of their hard work and the resurgence of Australian women's water polo on the global stage.
On the Aussie Stingers campaign, Tilly Kearns highlighted the importance of the team's sisterhood and fight-until-the-end approach, underpinned by the leadership of NSW head coach Bec Rippon. "The reason why we've been so successful is because we are all so close and we really fight so hard for each other," she said of Rippon, who took over just nine months ago. courtesy olympics.com.au
A Shining Moment for the Sharks
The Aussie Sharks, also featuring strong representation from NSW, delivered a stellar performance, finishing 8th overall. Their journey was marked by victories over world-class teams, including Hungary and Serbia, two of the sport's most formidable opponents. These wins were significant, highlighting the team's growth and potential, with NSW athletes contributing significantly to these successes.
In the quarter-final, the men's team faced off against the USA. Despite a valiant effort, they were unable to secure a win, their run to the medal rounds ending in a penalty shootout. However, their performance throughout the tournament demonstrated that Australian men's water polo is on an upward trajectory, capable of competing with the best in the world.
The Aussie Sharks defeated defending Olympic Champion Serbia 8-3 in a major upset in the group stage of men’s Water Polo.
It was the first time the Sharks have beaten Serbia at the Olympics Games.
The Sharks led from start to finish, scoring the opening six goals of the match in a dominant performance, NSW athletes featured heavily with two goals to Matthew Byrnes and a goal apiece to Charlie Negus and Jacob Mercep.
Shark’s goalkeeper Nic Porter said the win had left him speechless.
“I always knew this group had a performance like that in them and we've shown glimpses of it this Olympic cycle over the last three years,” he said.
“But to put a performance like that together in front of all our family and friends at the Olympic Games, I couldn't have imagined this in my wildest dreams.” courtesy olympics.com.au
Inspiring the Next Generation of Water Polo Players
The success of both the Australian women's and men's teams at the Paris 2024 Olympics is more than just a series of victories; it's an inspiration for the next generation of water polo players, particularly in New South Wales. These achievements have put a spotlight on our sport, highlighting its excitement, intensity, and the sense of camaraderie it fosters.
For those in NSW who have been captivated by the recent performances and are considering trying water polo, now is the perfect time to dive in.
It’s National Water Polo Day on Saturday 14th September from 9.00am-5.00pm where we celebrate water polo across NSW and Australia, helping to make the sport accessible to as many people as possible. Come celebrate with us at one of our clubs!
You can find out more here.
Water polo offers a unique combination of physical fitness, strategic thinking, and teamwork. It's a sport that challenges both the body and the mind, providing a rewarding experience for players of all ages and skill levels.
A Bright Future for Australian Water Polo
The achievements of our Aussie Stingers and Sharks at the Paris 2024 Olympics are a testament to the dedication of the athletes, coaches, and support staff, with NSW playing a significant role in this success. These milestones have brought pride to NSW and set the stage for a bright future in Australian water polo.
As we celebrate these successes, let's also look forward to the continued growth and development of our great sport in New South Wales. By encouraging more people to get involved in water polo across NSW, we can ensure that Australia remains a force in the world of water polo for years to come.
Key Highlights from the Paris 2024 Olympics:
· Aussie Stingers won the Olympic silver medal, going down 11-9 to world number one Spain.
· The silver medal performance boosts this Aussie Stingers team into history as Australian water polo's second most successful Olympic team, behind the gold medal winning team from the Sydney 2000 Games.
· The Aussie Stingers now have a complete set of Olympic medals with Gold in 2000, Silver in 2024 and Bronze in 2008 and 2012.
· Paris 2024 Aussie Stingers head coach Bec Rippon, from NSW, won bronze at the 2008 Olympics and assistant coach Taryn Woods won gold in 2000.
· Alice Williams was the top goal scorer in the women's Olympic competition with 21 goals.
· Gabriella Palm was the top goalkeeper in the women's Olympic competition with 54% saves.
· NSW athlete Bronte Halligan secured the most steals (13) and assists (13) in the women's Olympic competition.
· The Stingers had 3 players in the Team of the Olympics (Gabriella Palm, Bronte Halligan & Alice Williams) with Spain also featuring 3 players and Netherlands the other.
· During the preliminary rounds, the Aussie Sharks defeated defending Olympic Champion and eventual Paris 2024 gold medal winners Serbia and 4th placed Hungary.
· The Aussie Stingers were undefeated through to the gold medal match while the Aussie Sharks finished second of six teams in Group B in the preliminary rounds.
2024 Paris Olympics Game Results
Aussie Stingers
AUS 7 v CHN 5
AUS 15 v NED 14 Penalty Shoot Out
AUS 10 v CAN 7
AUS 14 v HUN 12 Penalty Shoot Out
QF AUS 9 v GRE 6
Semi AUS 14 v USA 13 Penalty Shoot Out
Final AUS 9 v ESP
Aussie Sharks
AUS 5 v ESP 9
AUS 8 v SRB 3
AUS 9 v FRA 8
AUS 9 v HUN 8
AUS 13 v JPN 14
QF AUS 10 v USA 11 Penalty Shoot Out
Classification AUS 9 v GRE 15
7th-8th AUS 6 v ITA 10
