MVP returns as Stingers eye home Cup glory
Murray Wenzel |
Abby Andrews’ feats haven’t gone unnoticed on home soil as the Stingers star aims to continue her winning ways at Sydney’s Water Polo World Cup.
Australia’s women’s team will begin their campaign against Italy on Wednesday while the men play Spain on Thursday, in two high-stakes quarter-finals.
Tickets have all but sold out and demand for final-day seats was double what organisers expected for an event considered the sport’s biggest in Australia since the 2000 Olympics.
The Stingers, Australia’s best-performed team at the Paris Games with silver, were swamped by young fans while training at various Brisbane school pools in the lead-up.
Andrews arrived in camp fresh off a Champions League title with Greek outfit Olympiacos, winning MVP honours thanks to nine goals across the semi-final and final.
“Paris was so cool, seeing not just our small water polo community get on board, but the wider population,” she told AAP.
There were 245 teams, featuring more than 4,000 competitors, at this year’s under-age national championships.
“I love seeing that attention blasting through and the real shift’s been the young kids that want to feel involved,” Andrews said.
“They know us personally, which has never happened before and that interest is amazing.”
Andrews said it was an indication the sport was appealing to young girls despite the rapid rise of the AFLW and NRLW.
“I’ve lived in Italy, America and Greece and could move back to any of them now … I’m obsessed with that life and money’s just a bonus,” she said of water polo’s opportunities.
“Living overseas, you learn so many new life skills. It’s so good for your repertoire.”
The only left-hander in the squad, Andrews will be crucial in the cut-throat finals campaign.
But she’s full of confidence after a rare triumph in the Champions League in Malta.
“I’d never had the experience of winning something that big and lifting a huge trophy like that,” she said.
“There’s a lot of pressure going over as a foreigner. You know you have to perform.
“And there are moments (of doubt). I was super proud I was able to step up, prove why I was there.
“I love that winning feeling and hope we can chase that here too.”
AAP