Three QAS athletes selected for women’s water polo team

Three Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) athletes have been selected for the Olympic women’s water polo team this morning.

Veteran Bronwen Knox heads the QAS trio and will create Olympic history by becoming the first Australian woman to make four Olympics in water polo.

New faces Abby Andrews and Gabriella Palm from the QAS will make their Olympic debuts in Tokyo alongside five other debutants in the water.

QAS Chief Executive Chelsea Warr welcomed today's selection and highlighted Knox’s achievement as one to truly be celebrated.

“To go to one Olympics is special, but to become the first Australian woman water polo player to play in four is absolutely incredible,” said Ms Warr.

“For Bronwen to push through a delayed Olympic Games and maintain her motivation and dedication to the sport she loves is incredible.

“Her previous Games experience will be vital for the next generation athletes coming through like Abby and Gabriella.

“They’ve been in the system now for a number of years, but the Olympics will be the next big step in their athlete journey and will set them up as long-term prospects for Queensland and Australia.”

The squad has been training out of the Sunshine Coast preparing for the Olympics and will begin their Olympic campaign against Canada on Saturday 24 July.

Tokyo 2020 women’s water wolo team:

• Zoe Arancini
• Keesja Gofers
• Hannah Buckling
• Lea Yanitsas
• Bronwen Knox (QAS)
• Rowena Webster
• Amy Ridge
• Gabriella Palm (QAS)
• Lena Mihailovic
• Matilda Kearns
• Bronte Halligan
• Elle Armit
• Abby Andrews (QAS)