Greek success makes a splash
CARDWELL water polo sensation Ashleigh Southern will be crowned a Greek heroine this weekend.
The former Gilroy Santa Maria College student scored four goals for Greek club Olympiacos in their women’s Euroleague water polo grand final, with Southern’s team edging out Spanish side Sabadell 10- 9.
Fanatical fans will greet Southern and her teammates during this weekend’s match between Greek football giants Olympiacos FC and Kalloni, with Olympiacos FC part of the same multi- sports organisation as Southern’s squad.
Southern’s win is the latest triumph in her glowing list of accomplishments, which is headlined by a bronze medal win for Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Her place in Australia’s 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics squad may have received another boost after the weekend’s European victory.
But Southern will have little time for rest following her grand final heroics, given she will return to Brisbane next week to play for the Brisbane Barracudas in their National Women’s League finals campaign from May 8- 10.
“There’s something different about playing overseas, especially in a professional league because even though you’re doing something you love, you’re expected to deliver and that’s what you’re there for,” Barracudas women’s coach Mel Rippon said.
“Ash would have learned a lot about delivering under pressure on a consistent basis. “The Greeks have a lot of tradition in water polo and I think it would have been good for her to learn a different style.”
The Barracudas had always planned for Southern to return to Australia for the finals.
“We sat down with her about six months ago and worked out a plan so that she would be back,” Rippon said.
“In the meantime we have developed our play so that Ash would be an addition when she came back, not a saving grace – so to speak.
“But we’re glad she’s coming back and you couldn’t have a better player coming into your squad at this time of
year.”
We sat down with her about six months ago and worked out a plan so that she would be back BARRACUDAS COACH MEL RIPPON
ON ASHLEIGH SOUTHERN