Paul Oberman is the Head Coach of the Aussie Stingers, and since his appointment in November last year, the Australian Women’s National Team has shown significant signs of improvement.
Oberman is himself an Olympian, having participated in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona as a player.
Before becoming the head coach of the women’s national team, he was the technical director of water polo in Singapore. Prior to that, he was the assistant coach of the Australian men’s national team for a decade.
Gold at the Intercontinental Cup is Oberman’s best accomplishment with Australia’s women’s team to-date. The Aussie Stingers have also twice finished 6th under Oberman, at the World Championships in Budapest, and the World League Super Finals in Tenerife this month.
Paul Oberman’s Top 5 of 2022
“Thank you for the honour of hearing my thoughts on selecting the top 5 women’s players for the Total Player Award 2022. There were so many very good players this past international season that it is hard to nominate only five. Leaving quality players out like Gurisatti, Bianconi, Garcia, and Ortiz the list goes on – who are all great players was tough, but even excluding Guistini, Siouti, Ruiz, Moolhuizen, and Kearns is very unfortunate because these young players are seriously good now and the future of our sport.”
1. Maddie Musselman (USA)
United States National Team Player/Club: UCLA /Position: Winger
Maddie is fast, explosive, long, has quick reactions, and is the prototype modern female player. Maddie is dangerous on the counter attack, from the perimeter shooting and on the drive – all complementing her great defensive capabilities through her long arms, gaining steals and intercepts. She was the MVP of the World Championships and is the complete package, a big reason why the USA won the World Championships!
2. Bronte Halligan (AUS)
Australia National Team Player/Club: Ekipe Orizzonte / Position: Driver
Bronte has great game sense and awareness, has developed into a very dangerous attacker, and can be relied upon for all different defensive assignments. Won MVP of the WL Intercontinental, the Italian League with Ekipe Orizzonte, and continues to grow into a dominant force.
3. Anni Espar (ESP)
Spain National Team Player/Club: Mataro/ Position: Driver
The playmaker, the heartbeat of the Spanish team. She can light it up from long range, so you can’t leave her alone. Anni controls the attack, organises and organises/communicates the defence, and is a key contributor to ESP winning the European Championships.
4. Eleni Xenaki (GRE)
Greece National Team Player/Club: Olympiacos / Position: Centre-foward
Excellent player who is a dangerous attacker – as a CF and can play shooter on the perimeter. Eleni had a very good World Championships and an even better European Championships – with Greece coming 2nd.
