Matilda Kearns

Matilda (Tilly) Kearns
Personal information
Full nameMatilda Emily Kearns
NicknameTilly
NationalityAustralian
CitizenshipAustralian
Born (2000-10-02) 2 October 2000 (age 24)
Sydney
EducationQueenwood School for Girls
Years active2019-present
Height176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Websitehttps://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/tilly-kearns/
Tokyo 2020 Paris 2024
Sport
CountryAustralia
SportWater polo
PositionCentre Forward
University teamSydney Uni Water Polo Club
ClubUniversity of Southern California
TeamAussie Stingers
Turned pro2019
Coached byRebecca Rippon
Achievements and titles
Olympic finalsTokyo 2020
World finals2024 World Aquatics Championships, 6th place

2023 World Aquatics Championships, 4th place

2022 FINA World Championships, 6th place
Medal record
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris Team

Matilda Emily Kearns (born October 2, 2000) is an Australian Olympic water polo player who plays for the Australian national team.[1] Her father, Phil Kearns AM, a former Rugby Union player for the Wallabies, and her mother Julie Kearns.

Early life

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Tilly began playing water polo for the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers at the age of 12.

She attended Queenwood School for Girls from 2006-2018[2] where she continued to play for the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers. She went on to join The University of Sydney's 'Lions' playing center forward, making her debut for the Australian Stingers debut in 2019 at the FINA World League Finals.[3]

Water polo career

She plays for University of Sydney. She plays for University of Southern California.[4]

Kearns was a member of the Australian Stingers squad that competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.[5][6] By finishing second in their pool, the Aussie Stingers went through to the quarterfinals. They were beaten 8-9 by Russia and therefore did not compete for an Olympic medal.[7]

Her father, Phil, is a member of the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame.[5]

Career Highlights

  • 2016, 2017 and 2018 FINA World Junior Championships[8]
  • 2024 World Aquatics Championships, 6th place
  • 2023 World Aquatics Championships, 4th place
  • 2022 FINA World Championships, 6th place
  • 2022 FINA World League International Cup, 1st place
  • 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, 5th place
  • 2024 Paris Olympics[9]

References

  1. ^ "Aussie Stingers - Matilda Kearns". www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Tilly Kearns". Australian Olympic Committee. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  3. ^ Australia, Water Polo. "Aussie Stingers - Matilda Kearns". www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Tilly Kearns - Women's Water Polo". USC Athletics. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b Forsaith, Rob (24 May 2021). "Kearns taking famous name to Tokyo Games". The Young Witness. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Tokyo-bound Matilda Kearns upstages famous dad in Stingers squad". The New Daily. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2021". The Roar. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Tilly Kearns". Australian Olympic Committee. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  9. ^ Australia, Water Polo. "Aussie Stingers - Matilda Kearns". www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.


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