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Personal Details

Given name: Sophie

Family name: Smith

Date of birth: 26/02/86

City of birth: Brisbane, QLD

Height: 181cm

Weight: 67kg

Marital status: Single

Home town and State: Brisbane, QLD

National League team: Victorian Tigers

International debut: Test Series v New Zealand, 2005

Uni Course: Bachelor of Creative Industries (Majors in Public Relations and Fashion)

Institution: Queensland University of Technology 

Occupation: Styling Assistant, Make Up Artist

Age when began competing in your sport: 13

Where did you begin competing: Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Preferred cap number: 3

Playing position: Centre Back/Driver

Handedness: Right

Major achievements: 3rd, Olympic Games, London, England 2012

2nd, FINA World League Finals, Shanghai, China 2012

1st, London Test Event, London, England 2012

1st, Water Polo Pan Pacs, Melbourne, Australia 2012

1st, Canada Cup, Montreal, Canada 2011

5th, FINA World Championships, Shanghai, China 2011

3rd, World Super League Finals 2011

2nd, FINA World Cup, Christchurch, New Zealand 2010

2nd, FINA World League Finals, USA 2010

Most memorable sporting achievement:  My first major international FINA event at the World Championships in Rome, 2009

Any relatives/spouses who have competed internationally: Ryan Hoffman, cousin

If so, who and what sports: Plays in the NRL for the Melbourne Storm and Kangaroos

Any relatives/spouses who are famous for things other than water polo: My dad is the doctor for the Queensland Reds Super 15 Team

What made you choose this sport: When I was in year 7 my high school for the following year, Brisbane Girls Grammar, sent out letters to all the incoming year 8’s for the next year to come and try out for the school water polo team. I thought it would be a fun alternative to swimming and a great way to meet some friends before starting year 8 at a new school

Who is the most influential person in your sporting career and why: Mum and dad are very influential as they are my emotional support; they are my greatest fans and my inspiration

Which person do you most look up to in your sporting career and why: No one person in particular. I admire athletes that train hard and are determined. The girls in the Aussie squad are all people I admire and respect as we all have a good work ethic and push each other to both continually improve and perform

What are your ambitions both during and after your sporting career: The London Olympics is of course the main goal and to win a medal. After that I’m not sure what I plan on doing after 2012. But aside from water polo, I would like to finish my university degree, move to Sydney and pursue a career in Public Relations, Fashion or Communications. I haven’t decided which area I enjoy the most yet

I dream of: Pursuing a career I enjoy, having a happy and healthy family and a life filled with travel, good food and great wine. I would also like to be able to help young people, animals and/or the environment. I am yet to decide on an angle or a way, which would be most beneficial

What is your proudest sporting moment: Every time we line up for a game and the Australian National Anthem is played

 

Favourites

Drink: A good coffee

Food: Seafood

Movies: Dirty Dancing and Love Actually

Songs: No one song in particular. It depends on my mood

Sporting team: Super 15 Rugby Union

Place to travel for water polo: Italy

Place to travel for pleasure: My family’s unit at Main Beach, Gold Coast

Thing to do on a day off: Cook, meet friends for coffee, spend time with my sister and mum

 

Choices

Beach / Movie: Beach

Pizza / Salad: Pizza

Rap / Rock: Rap

Summer / Winter: Summer

Drive / Be driven: Drive

Talk / Listen: Talk

Shorts / Jeans: Shorts

 

Do you have any Tattoos/Piercings and what’s the meaning behind them: I have a tattoo on my right heel, which says “Accredo” meaning Latin for “to believe”. I always wanted a tattoo and I decided this was an appropriate word. Water polo has been a big part of my life for many years and it requires a lot of self-belief. My tattoo is a way I will remember this time in my life

 

Test Caps: 165

 

Olympic Goals: 1

 

Updated: 28/08/12

 

*For more information on this player contact lloyd@sportscomm.com.au