Three big cheers signalled a win for the Oceans9 team which took out the first victory in the water polo competition at the 2012 Pan Pacific Masters Games (3 – 11 November) at the Southport Olympic Swimming Pool on the Gold Coast today.
Pivotal in the side’s 16–4 win over Groovers was Sydney 2000 Olympic Games gold medallist Gail Miller who is just one of many Olympians in the star side.
The 35-year-old Queenslander said the she and her teammates felt nervous ahead of their first game together in many years but proved they had not lost their touch with play reminiscent of their 2000 Sydney Olympic Games form.
“It was our first game playing together for a while so we were a bit nervous coming into the game,” said Gail.
“But I thought we played good and it certainly helped us blow away some cobwebs.”
Gail retired from professional competition after the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and although her fitness levels may have declined since then she was excited to continue competing in her favourite sport alongside her good friends.
“Like a lot of the girls in the team I’m not as fit as I was back in 2000,” said Gail
“We are a lot older and we’ve had kids but it’s fantastic to get back in the water and have some fun.”
Married to former Wallaby Ben Tune and sister to Commonwealth Games boxing gold medallist Paul Miller, sport runs in her family and she said the Pan Pacific Masters Games was a chance to celebrate sport and have fun.
“It is such a great opportunity for us to catch up and be together again,” said Gail.
“We certainly have a competitive edge but we’re here to enjoy ourselves and play the sport we love.”
Another world class water polo team, Guppies, were to good on the water today with a 39–0 win over NC Ladies from Coffs Harbour who were making their debut at the Pan Pacific Masters Games.
Sunday (4 November) at 9am will see the two teams of Olympians, Oceans9 and Guppies, go head-to-head in a mouth-watering round robin clash not to be missed.Finals will be held from 12pm that day.
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not important for us.
