After a string of top-five international finishes, the Aussie Stingers will settle for nothing less than an Olympic medal with the women's water polo squad for Paris revealed in Sydney.
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Rebecca Rippon, who took over as coach late last year, was a part of the last Australian team to clinch an Olympic medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Rippon said the team, which finished fifth in Tokyo and fourth at last year's world championships, was hungry to climb atop the podium in France.
"I think you can expect the Stingers to have the attitude of going after everything, we're in Paris to be competitive and we're there to chase a medal," Rippon said on Thursday at the team announcement.
"The relentless Aussie style that we want to play is what we will be bringing in less than 80 days time."
Selected for her third Olympics, Zoe Arancini will lead the team 15 years after making her national debut.
The 32-year-old West Australian has strong water polo bloodlines with her parents Peter and Wendy, as well as her aunt all playing for Australia.
New mum Keesja Gofers is also at her third Olympics, while the 13-player squad includes six Games debutantes.
Bronte Halligan, daughter of former league star Daryl, and Tilly Kearns - daughter of Wallabies great Phil - are back for their second Games.
Sienna Green, 19, will make history as the youngest Australian woman to compete in Olympic water polo.
"To lead these amazing bunch of girls is a huge privilege, they're not just the nicest but the best in Australia," Arancini said at the team unveiling.
"I'm so thankful for (Rebecca Rippon) and for the girls, for their faith in me."
She said she was excited to be back playing in front of an Olympic crowd after COVID impacted fans in Tokyo.
"It's actually a tear-jerking moment when you play your first game and you see your parents or your loved ones or your friends," Arancini said.
"It's going to be a huge benefit."
Fellow player Elle Armit shared her excitement, having first competed at Olympic level in Tokyo.
"One of the obvious (differences) is obviously having crowds and having that family and friends there in the crowd," Armit told AAP.
"And also, this group of girls is just really special."
The team had developed a strong bond thanks in part to Rippon's leadership, Abby Andrews said at the unveiling.
"We've just been challenging each other and pushing each other to be a bit better," Andrews said.
"Seeing the role model that she's been just sets us up for such exciting things and I'm super excited to see what we can do under her guidance."
The team expects the US, the reigning Olympic champions, to be one of the biggest challenges in Paris, along with Spain and the Netherlands.
Australian Associated Press
