Bec Rippon - Olympic Water Polo Preview

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Category: Rebecca Rippon

Matt: You retired earlier this year, take us through what you have been up to.

Bec: Since I have stopped playing I have been working as a Personal Trainer. I spent some time over the last few years before I retired setting up my business so that I would have something in place when I finished. I also have started doing some water polo coaching. I am keen to explore that a bit more over the next few years too. I am very attracted to the challenge it would give me but I need to focus on my PT business for now.

Other than that I have been spending time finally hanging out with my friends and family who I didn’t have a lot of time for over the last 10 years. It has been amazing to spend time with my nieces and nephew and also just be able to do normal things with my friends without having to worry about how it will affect training.

Matt: What emotions are you going through right now with London just about to start?

Bec: Mixed emotions. I am happy with my life and in such a good place that I have no negative feelings towards the games. I did get sad when the opening ceremony ended and I thought about all of the athletes going to prepare for their events. I just thought about how awesome it would be to put on my aussie cossies and play one more time. That was short lived though as I realised I am in a very good place with my work and life in general. The excitement I feel for these games are for my sister Mel who is about to play in her 3^rd Olympics. She is a champ.

Matt: Younger sister is Mel Rippon, have you spoken to her, how is she feeling leading into the games?

Bec: I have spoken to her most days. We just chat about everything not just polo to take her mind off it. But she is so ready to play. Its such a long lead up and she just wants to get in the pool and play. She is confident in the team but knows its going to be very tough. I know she loves the challenge of it though.

Matt: You have been around the game of Water Polo for a long time, how does this Australian Stingers team compare to previous teams?

Bec: Its hard to compare teams as the game is constantly changing. The team that is in London has had mixed results over the past 4 years and is capable of winning just as every other team is. I don’t think any of the teams in the top 8 are a certainty to win or even to make the medal matches.

The team is full of youth but also has a few experienced players. It will be interesting to see how the team balances the combination of the two elements.

Matt: The girls play Italy, Britain and Russia in the pool matches, who is the team to watch out for most out of that group?

Bec: Out of those teams I think Russia is the team to beat. Saying that, the Italians are back at the top of the rankings and have some of their best players returning to the pool so they will also give them a tough match. I believe Russia should be the team to beat based on what they are capable of doing but they have a bit of a mental issue when it comes to the Olympics so they are definitely beatable.

Great Britain will be tough but I don’t think they will be able to match it with the other 7 teams.

Matt: Do you think the girls need to work on anything specific to be successful at the games?

Bec: I am sure the girls have been working on everything ...4 years of preparation seems a long time but it always feels like you have run out of time at the end. When it comes to it, if they have done all the hard yards, learned the tactics and know what they are doing when they get out there then the thing that will count will be the desire to win. You see many talented athletes or teams get beaten by those who have worked just as hard but just want it more.

Matt: What is your prediction for the Gold Medal Match?

Bec: Well I honestly think I could pick 2 teams out of 7 out of a hat and any of them could be there on the day. But a game I would love to see is of course Australia vs America...Sydney 2000 replay

Matt: Tell us something about Jane Moran?

Bec: So much to say about Jane..but most is best kept under wraps..nah she is a very fun girl mostly because she always says/does things at the most inappropriate times..i can always count on her to jump over the line when i think I have stepped over it.

She is one of the hardest workers you will ever meet. A great training ethic and always up for a tussle in the big games (or even the not so big games)

Matt: Tell us something about Bronwen Knox?

Bec: Bronnie is one of my buddies I like to hang with when we have time away from Polo. She is very quiet to most people but when you spend time with her she is very funny with her own random sense of humour.

We refer to bronnies arm as “the trunk” as when she shoots it unravels like an elephants trunk .

Matt: Tell us something about Nicola Zagame?

Bec: Ziggy is the queen of just making dumb comments. She thinks I was born in the 1800s.

Ziggy is one of the most naturally talented athletes in the team but also works very hard. She has one of the hardest shots in the game but she is also a very strong defender who can match it with almost any centre forward in the world.

Matt: Anything you would like to add?

Bec: I just want to send the girls my best wishes. I will be watching and cheering from my bed so they had better make it worth my while ;)

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