17-year-old gets boost to World League Super Finals

Canberra (June 19).— Sydney 17-year-old Lea Barta has been thrust into the international limelight with her selection in the Aussie Stingers women’s water polo team for the FINA World League Super Finals in Montreal, Canada early next month. The University of NSW Killer Whales goalkeeper grasped her chance for selection following a successful training camp on the Gold Coast in the past week. A national 16 and under representative, Barta bypasses junior ranks to join the team as one of two goalkeepers alongside Victorian Tigers’ Victorian Brown. Also coming into the side for her first major overseas trip is Adelaide Jets’ Lisa Callahan, one of the highest goal-scorers in the recently finished National League. Back after a break from the national squad is UWA Comets’ Jemma Dessauvagie. Head coach Greg McFadden said there were still other leading players unavailable for the tour for various reasons. The team will have a training camp with the World Champion United States of America in California before contesting the six-team Super Finals in Montreal on July 4-8. Qualifiers for Montreal are Australia and China from the Asia-Oceania region, Canada and USA from the Americas and Greece and Spain from Europe. Team: Goalkeepers: Victoria Brown (Victorian Tigers), Lea Barta (UNSW Killer Whales). Centre forwards/centre backs: Erin Douglass, Mia Santoromito (Cronulla Sharks); Larissa Webster (Victorian Tigers); Katie Finucane (Fremantle Marlins), Jemma Dessauvagie (UWA Comets). Drivers: Kate Gynther, Jane Moran, Mel Rippon (Brisbane Barracudas); Suzie Fraser (KFC Queensland Breakers); Fiona Hammond (Sydney University Lions); Lisa Callahan (Adelaide Jets); Gemma Hadley (UWA Comets).

 

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