With the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony set to take place this evening, Water Polo Western Australia is delighted to introduce our home-grown athletes who will be playing for the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers this Olympic Games.

Representing Western Australia on the world stage is Aussie Stingers captain Zoe Arancini and goalkeeper Genevieve Longman, and Aussie Sharks driver Luke Pavillard and goalkeeper John Hedges.

Zoe Arancini
With parents who both represented Australia in Water Polo, Zoe Arancini has always been passionate about the sport. Born in Subiaco, three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini grew up playing for Melville Water Polo before joining the Fremantle Marlins roster.

Fun Fact – Zoe holds a degree in Health Sciences from Perth’s Curtin University
Instagram – @zoearancini

Genevieve Longman
Also born in Subiaco, Aussie Stingers goalkeeper Genevieve Longman will make her Olympic debut at Paris 2024. After strong form in the Australian Water Polo League, Genevieve made her national team debut for the Aussie Stingers in 2019 and has been a member of the squad since.

Fun Fact – Genevieve holds a bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Western Australia and a postgraduate law degree from the University of Technology Sydney.

Luke Pavillard
Born in Kalgoorlie, Luke Pavillard began playing water polo aged 12. A regular in the Aussie Sharks squad since 2022, Luke featured at the 2022, 2023 and 2024 World Aquatics Championships but will make his Olympic debut in Paris.

Fun Fact – Luke plays for Spanish club CN Atletic-Barceloneta.
Instagram – @lukepavillard

John Hedges
Aussie Sharks goalkeeper John Hedges grew up playing for Fremantle Water Polo Club. After playing in the United States of America for the University of the Pacific in California, John signed with Spanish club CN Sant Andreu in Barcelona – where still plays – in 2022.

Fun Fact – John’s sister is former Aussie Stingers goalkeeper, Lilian Hedges.
Instagram – @john_hedgesthe3rd

Water Polo Western Australia wishes all four athletes and their teammates the best of luck for the Olympic Games.

To find out more, click here.