Back to

Ballesty chosen in first Stingers' squad

UNSW Elite Athlete Scholar Hayley Ballesty has earned a place in her first Australian Stingers' water polo squad selected for the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Peru during March.

Published on the 25 February 2022 by David Gavin
 
The Landscape Architecture student joins Tokyo Olympian and law student Amy Ridge in the squad of 15 women set for South America, while fellow Tokyo Olympian and UNSW Wests’ Killer Whale Bronte Halligan has also been named.

One of five potential debutants in the Stingers' squad, Ballesty is currently honing her skills in Europe, as is Ridge, whilst continuing their studies.

Ballesty had been edging closer to senior selection being part of the Australian Stingers’ train-on squad for the Tokyo Olympics and has previously represented her country at World University Games and Youth level. She has also played and studied at Arizona State University.

Selected in the Australian Men’s Sharks for the Intercontinental Cup are several members of UNSW Wests Magpies' team who took out the Sydney Super League title on February 12.

Among those men are MVP in that Super League Final, Charlie Negus, Ben Lexcen Scholar Tim Putt and alumni Nathan Power.

New UNSW student this year, West Australian John Hedges and UNSW Wests Magpies' team mate Rhys Holden were also selected.

All five players will be coached by a familiar face in former UNSW Wests Women’s head coach Tim Hamill, who recently ended five years as head of the female program to take on the head role with the Australian men’s team.

Eight UNSW students, including water polo players (L-R) Tim Putt, Amy Ridge and Nathan Power, prior to Tokyo Olympics.
Water polo players (L-R) Tim Putt, Amy Ridge and Nathan Power, prior to Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Arc UNSW.

Putt and Power joined Ridge as UNSW’s Water Polo Olympians in Tokyo last year.