Brisbane Barracudas skipper Rhys Howden to lead attempt to make history in Rio

AUSTRALIAN men’s water polo skipper Rhys Howden will need to draw on all his leadership qualities to steer team to first Olympic medal.

Rhys Howden from the Barracudas. Picture: BRADLEY COOPER

AN “INSPIRATIONAL leader” is how Rhys Howden’s peers at the Brisbane Barracudas describe the water polo star.

And at the Rio Olympics, Howden will need to call on those qualities to try and steer the Aussie Sharks to their first Olympic medal.

The Barracudas men’s National Water Polo League captain will lead the Sharks in Brazil in his first Games as skipper of the team after taking on the role in 2013.

“Rhys is an incredible leader, you can see it by what he does with the team but also what he does within the club here at the Barracudas,” club president Tycho Buningh said.

“He has all the qualities of a great captain and I’m sure he will lead the team well in Rio.

“But for us, it’s awesome to have the Australian team captain from our club. Rhys is such a big part of the Barracudas – he helps out with coaching juniors and is always there to help with anything we need.”

The Sharks are ranked fifth in the world.

But Howden is not the only Barracuda set to compete in Brazil, with Ash Southern and Kelsey Wakefield to play a key role in the Aussie Stingers’ medal hopes.

Both Southern and Wakefield have helped the Barracudas women’s team becoming the powerhouse of the NWPL.

The Stingers have won three medals in the past four Games.

“We’re incredibly excited to have three of our players representing Australia at the Olympic Games, they have worked extremely hard for this and deserve every success that comes their way,” Buningh said.

“There’s a buzz around the club at the moment and we will definitely organise an event to recognise their achievements.”

The Sharks start their campaign against Brazil at 9.50am Sunday (AEST) followed by Hungary on Tuesday at 2am and Japan on Wednesday at 10pm.

The Stingers’ first game is against Russia on Wednesday at 2am.