The Australian Stingers are led by captain Zoe Arancini.
An extremely experienced player with nearly 300 appearances for Australia, Arancini was always destined to reach the top of the game; both her parents, as well as Zoe’s aunt, were also Australian internationals.
Arancini is a two-time Olympian, with appearances in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020.
Last season, Arancini captained the Aussie Stingers to victory at the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Peru, as well as a 6th place finish at the World Championships in Budapest.
Zoe Arancini’s Top 5 of 2022
1. Maddie Musselman (USA)
United States National Team Player/Club: UCLA /Position: Winger
A clinical player, with outstanding execution skills. She is able to create/find the space to be a dangerous option.
2. Rita Keszthelyi (HUN)
Hungary National Team Player/Club: Mataro / Position: Driver
A standout player for Hungary, she stood up in the moments when she was needed. Rita creates opportunities for both her and her teammates. She stepped it up to another level at the World League Super Finals, playing hard, energetic water polo.
3. Paula Leiton (ESP)
Spain National Team Player/Club: Sabadell/ Position: Centre-Forward
Probably her best season, holds her space well and is dynamic when the ball comes in to score or earn exclusion/penalty. She is able to play centre-back when needed, as she is very strong. With how dynamic she is in centre-forward, teams are forced to play zone which allows her teammates space to shoot on the perimeter.
4. Simone van de Kraats (NED)
Netherlands National Team Player/Club: Mataro / Position: Wing
Dangerous left hander, goes to the player to finish off and shoots well. Continuing on her good form from the Tokyo Olympics.
