The daughters of famous footy players heading to Tokyo

The daughters of three famous footy legends have been selected in the Australian women’s water polo squad for the Tokyo Olympics.

Gabi Palm, Abby Andrews, Bronwen Knox and Elle Armit will line up for the Australian women’s water polo team at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Lachie Millard

The daughters of three famous footy legends have been selected in the women’s water polo squad for the Tokyo Olympics.

Tilly Kearns – whose father, Phil, captained the Wallabies and twice won the Rugby World Cup – was picked for her first Olympics, at age 20, along with Bronte Halligan, whose dad Daryl was the first player to score more than 2000 points in the NRL.

Queensland goalkeeper Gabi Palm also made the 13-player squad. Her father, Mitchell, was a goalkicking five-eighth who toured Canada and France with the 1989 Wallabies.

Kearns, Halligan and Palm are among seven first-time Olympians in a Stingers squad that has genuine hopes of collecting a medal in Tokyo.

Bronte Halligan and Matilda Kearns, will line up for Australian Womens Water Polo team to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture Lachie Millard

Bronwen Knox at 35 is the oldest member and will become the first Australian to play for the Stingers in four Olympics, while captain Rowie Webster, 33, will appear in her third Games.

“To be able to lead out an incredible group of women, it will truly be the honour of a lifetime and a childhood dream come true,” Webster said. “Hearing the words ‘You’re going to the Olympics’ from your head coach is special. I probably didn’t realise how much I needed to hear those words finally being said.

“What I’m most excited about this Aussie Stingers team is the different skills and variety in the team make-up. You have someone like Bron Knox, whose composure and experience you can’t buy … it’s been an honour to play alongside her for so many years.

“And you have so many fresh faces in the team and to see their growth during this Olympic cycle and the enthusiasm they will carry into Tokyo, that complements our team so well.”

Zoe Arancini, Keesja Gofers, Hannah Buckling and Lea Yanitsas all return for their second Olympics after debuting at Rio.

Halligan, 24, was eight when she told her parents she wanted to be an Olympian and was unlucky not to be selected for the last Olympics. “When as I didn’t make the Rio team, I said to my parents I would not be giving up and was even more determined I would be there come Tokyo,” she said.

Australia is regarded as a strong contender to make the podium in Tokyo.