Fast Facts

Full Name: Rowie Webster
Nickname: Puddy
Age: 30
Started Playing: 1999
Position: Utility
Preferred Cap No: #7
First Club: Richmond Tigers, Victoria
Current Club/Team: UTS Balmain Tigers, New South Wales
Fun fact: Melbourne Coffee Snob & Team Sleep Walker

Rowie Webster, captain of the Aussie Stingers is back with the National team after being out of the water for close to a year following injury. Her return hasn’t been easy, but she is back better and stronger than ever.

TWG: You are currently making your come back following an injury. How has your recovery been?

RW: Injuries are an athletes nemesis. It was an 8-month recovery period from a back injury and I’m absolutely thrilled to be back into full training alongside my teammates. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; I now just consider myself an old diesel engine...you can’t stop me now that I’m started.

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TWG: As current Captain of the Stingers, how have you managed your captaincy out of the water and supporting the team?

RW: Leading by example is always something that I have tried to focus on.

Behaviours are important in and out of the water. We are role models in the community and I always strive to inspire the girls to be better people along with being better athletes.

I also believe being as approachable as possible helps the team communicate effectively...plus I never take myself too seriously, I’m as much of the team clown as the others.

Having started playing water polo in as a 12-year old, Webster as gone from strength to strength, and is known as one of the toughest defenders in water polo. In 2013 and 2014 she was named FINA’s Best Water Polo Player of the Year. A dual-Olympian, Rowie won bronze in London and will be looking to go one better in two year’s time in Tokyo.

TWG: Tokyo will be your 3rd Olympics. What is driving you to compete in 2020?

RW: Winning a gold medal is high on my agenda. The older I get the more I appreciate the work it takes to get to an Olympic games. I play the game because I love the competition, and showcasing that at an Olympic games is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I’m soaking in athlete life as long as I can before I have to become a civilian.

Rowie has also spent time abroad playing in Greece, Russia and the USA. Being able to pull together information, tactics, and playing styles from different countries to develop your own game definitely gives her an edge when she takes to the pool. Also having insight into how your opponent operates is only going to make you a smarter player on the international stage.

TWG: You’ve played in both the Greek & Russian water polo leagues. How did you find that experience? How different is the playing style to here in Australia?

RW: Playing overseas is an incredible experience, it allows you to build self-resilience when you may not have your “support network” around you, but it also teaches you more about the European game.

Knowledge is power, and I believe this knowledge makes you a more dynamic player. The crowds are loud, the competition week in, week out is all about bragging rights and you also don't have to train at 5am - that’s a huge bonus.

But the older I get, the more I realise, whilst I have loved my experiences playing abroad, I am so honoured to be finishing my career where my friends and family can be part of that last little journey.

TWG: What advice would you give to aspiring female athletes?

RW: Strong is sexy! Don’t be afraid of the pain during training, fatigue will end up being your best friend in the crucial moments of the most important games.

And lastly, surround yourself with people that support you and inspire you. It's amazing what you can achieve when the people around you never doubted you… If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough.

Be sure to tune in to FINAtv or follow Water Polo Australia on twitter for updates during the World Cup Bronze Medal Match from 11pm AEST.