It was the third time that Australia had won the World Cup title having previously been successful in 1984 and 1995.
ASC CEO Mark Peters paid tribute to the Australian women’s water polo team and national head coach Greg McFadden for their outstanding achievements.
‘The performance of the Australian women’s water polo team in winning last years FINA World Cup was undoubtedly one of Australia’s top sporting highlights,’ Peters said.
‘The Australian women’s water polo team showed in defeating current Olympic champions Italy that are progressing well under the astute leadership of Greg McFadden.’
‘Greg’s leadership, professionalism and enthusiasm has seen Australian women’s water polo advance in leaps and bounds.’
AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker congratulated the Australian women’s water polo team on their fine performance.
‘To become only the third Australian women’s water polo team to win a World Cup title is an outstanding achievement,’ Professor Fricker said.
‘The AIS Team of the Year award once again attracted a top quality field of nominations with the Australian women’s water polo team a worthy winner.’
The Australian women’s water polo team took out the AIS Team of the Year award from a world-class field that included Glenn Ashby and Darren Bundock (tornado class - sailing) and Brooke Pratley (women’s double skull - rowing). 

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) today announced Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and national water polo head coach Greg McFadden as AIS Coach of the Year at a ceremony in Canberra.
McFadden led the Australian women’s water polo team to a stunning victory over Olympic champions Italy at last years FINA World Cup in China.
It was the third time that Australia had won the World Cup title having previously been successful in 1984 and 1995.
ASC CEO Mark Peters paid tribute to McFadden’s incredible achievement and commitment to both the AIS and Australian water polo.
‘Greg deserves much of the credit for the outstanding results achieved by the Australian women’s water polo team,’ Mr Peter said.
‘His leadership, professionalism and enthusiasm has seen Australian women’s water polo advance in leaps and bounds.’
AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker congratulated McFadden on his fine performance.
‘For Greg to win the AIS Coach of the Year award over such a top quality field is a reflection of his outstanding ability as a coach,’ Professor Peter Fricker said.
Some of the other nominations for AIS Coach of the Year award included Arthur Brett (sailing), Lyall McCarthy and Vladimir Vatkin (gymnastics).
Winners of other categories announced today were gymnast Philippe Rizzo – AIS Athlete of the Year; Australian Women’s Water Polo Team – AIS Team of the Year; Robbie Crowther (athletics) – AIS Junior Athlete of the Year; and AIS Men’s Road Cycling – AIS Program of the Year.