Six debutantes in Olympic water polo

The Australian women's water polo team in Rio will features six debutantes.

Six Olympic debutantes will feature in Australia's push for the women's water polo gold medal at the Rio Games.

The 13-member squad named on Monday is led by captain Bronwen Knox, returning for her third Olympics.

Keesja Gofers, Hannah Buckling, Kelsey Wakefield, Lea Yanitsas, Isobel Bishop and Zoe Arancini are all preparing to make their Olympic debuts.

Gofers' sister Taniele played for Australia in Beijing 2008.

"I was in Beijing watching my sister line up to sing the Australian anthem and that's where it all became real for me - at that moment I knew I wanted to go to the Olympics," Gofers said.

"There are a few of use who have played together since our first world junior championships in 2007, now we're going to the Olympics together."

The Stingers last won Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games, and picked up bronze in London and Beijing.

In 2015 they were ranked second in the world, behind Olympic gold medal favourite the United States.

Coach Greg McFadden said the fresh faces in the squad were providing plenty of added fire power.


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Source: AAP


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