NZ women's water polo team target LA 2028 for Olympic first
LaPresse/Gian Mattia D'Alberto
The women's White Caps believe they have a golden opportunity to qualify New Zealand for the Olympic Games for the first time, thanks to an increased quota in women's water polo.
The New Zealand women's water polo team narrowly missed out on Paris 2024, with just two goals the difference between the team and Olympic qualification.
They're now looking to make history as the team begins its campaign towards qualifying for LA 2028, where the Olympic quota for women's water polo is set to increase from 10 teams to 12.
The women's White Caps have been training in Auckland and are set to begin their Olympic Campaign at next month's World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Head coach and British Water Polo Olympian Angie Winstanley-Smith said the quota expansion was fantastic news.
"This is a game changer for women's water polo in New Zealand and it will inspire not only our current squad members but also the next generation to keep pushing and keep believing," said Winstanley-Smith.
"It's a great moment for our sport and we're working extremely hard to put ourselves in the best possible position to make it to LA 2028."
Women's water polo was only added to the Olympics in 2000, with men's water polo on the programme since 1900.
Captain Jessica Milicich has been a squad member for nine years and said making the Olympics would be a dream come true.
"This is the start of a huge campaign for us. We've come so close before and that heartbreak has only made us stronger and more determined," Milicich said.
"Making the Olympics would be the ultimate reward for all the work we've put in, and it would be a massive moment for the sport in New Zealand. We want to be the team that makes history and paves the way for future generations of girls coming into water polo."
Milicich said the World Champs would serve as a key benchmark for the team as they begin their journey toward LA 2028.
"We're under no illusions, we know qualifying for the Olympics is incredibly tough. But we've proven we belong at this level. This team has grit, skill, and belief and we're going all in."
The women's White Caps begin their World Championships campaign against Italy on 11 July.
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