Arancini seeks Olympic inspiration from fellow Stingers
Each week between now and the beginning of the 2012 Olympic Games, AWPI's Road to London series will profile a member of the Aussie Stingers or Aussie Sharks team. This is your chance to get to know the stars of the show a little better.
Zoe in action during the 2012 Water Polo Pan Pacs (pic by Anthony Pearse/Pearse Photography)
The Australian women’s water polo team, the Aussie Stingers, is bringing together a unique mix of youth and experience as they endeavour to become the first women’s water polo team to win two Olympic gold medals, when they take on the best in the world at London later this year.
Caught in the middle is East Victoria Park’s Zoe Arancini, who on top of being one of five members from the bronze medal winning team at last year’s the junior world championships, is also one of the more experienced having already played over 70 tests for her country.
So much has happened so quickly for the 20-year-old Western Australian that she is pinching herself as to the level of player she has been selected alongside in the Aussie Stinger 17-person Olympic train-on squad.
It was only four years ago that Arancini one day dreamt of joining the likes of Beijing heroes Melissa Rippon, Kate Gynther, Gemma Beadsworth, Bronwen Knox and Alicia McCormack on the Olympic medal dais.
Now, with just six months remaining until London 2012, Arancini has the distinct chance of seeing this dream come true and the Fremantle Marlins star is looking forward to knuckling down and playing the best polo she can.
“Ever since I made the initial squad I have always been hopeful of making the team and just like all the other girls I have trained really hard, whilst always trying to play to the best of my ability,” Arancini reflected.
“I just figured that I would aim to control what I could and let all the other things look after themselves. I’ve always taken the attitude to expect nothing and treat everything you do get as a bonus, so we’ll see what happens.
“Olympic selection would of course be the absolute pinnacle of sporting excellence, one of the most exciting and exhilarating things, and to say it would be a dream come true is an understatement.
“I understand where I sit in relation to selection and know that each time I train or play I have to make the most of every opportunity and keep pressure on the senior players.
“Therefore remaining fit and injury free is an absolute priority whilst trying to ensure I keep enjoying what I am doing.”
And she won’t be alone. Not only are the four other junior girls in the same position, but so too, the remaining 12 members of the squad as they try and impress head coach Greg McFadden.
But Arancini, who first made her senior debut for the Stingers in 2009, believes it is not just about the push for selection, but ensuring the squad as a whole has the best preparation possible for London.
“Training and playing with all the girls in the team is a fantastic opportunity, and to have people like Bronwen (Knox) and Macca (Alicia McCormack) in the squad is great, as they have always been really supportive to the younger players, so anything that may happen down the track in relation to selection is a bonus,” Arancini said.
“For me, my opportunity as been amazing and I wouldn’t trade what I’ve achieved in my polo career for anything, and I know all of the other younger girls feel the same and understand the opportunity that has been provided to us.
“When it comes down to it though, we all get on pretty well and bring the best out of each other when training and playing. There are no doubts that we have the team to win gold at these Olympics, it’s just a matter of being able to put it all together on any given day.”
Arancini will continue her campaign towards London in the National Water Polo League, where her Fremantle Marlins are currently in top position.
The Stingers will have training camps in Australia, including one next week in Canberra, before finalising Olympic preparations with the London Olympic test event in May and the FINA World League Finals in June.
