Across the ditch for World Championships

Emma Jones joins the Australian squad at the upcoming world polo championships.

Emma Jones, of Dural, will represent Australia in the FINA Youth Women's World Water Polo Championships from December 12-18.

CHRISTMAS plans are on hold for Dural teenager Emma Jones as she joins the Australian squad in their quest for global glory at the upcoming world polo championships.

Jones was one of seven NSW players to make the Born-98 line-up for the FINA Youth Women’s World Water Polo Championships, held in New Zealand from December 12-18.

Water polo player Emma Jones.

Selection to the team was recognition of three tough years of club, interstate and international level preparation.

The 17-year-old has established herself as a consistent scoring mainstay of the squad, earning most-valued player accolades and team-of-the-series inclusion at home and overseas.

Jones plays at club level with Drummoyne and also represents her school, Pymbles Ladies College.

While she has dreams of competing in the Olympics one day, she said her focus “for the moment is on the world championships”.

“Then comes the HSC,” she said.

Jones’ mother and father, Ross and Cheryl, will be poolside, leaving Emma’s older sisters — state-level water polo player Alana and Sydney University architecture student Caitlin — to put the finishing touches to the Christmas celebrations.