Rosie Morris insists she is champing at the bit to lead Great Britain’s women’s water polo team out for their first match in home waters since London 2012.
Great Britain will kickstart their new season against Russia in the FINA World League on Tuesday in Manchester, the first time they will compete in front of their home fans since last summer’s Games.
The clash also marks the first game for new head coach Kostas Vamvakaris and he has a battle on his hands with Russia finishing fourth at this year’s World Championships in Barcelona and ending up runners-up in last season’s World League.
However the vast majority of Great Britain’s team have been training at European clubs in the build up to the World League campaign, gaining more exposure to the professional game in the process.
And captain Morris, competing in her second season at Olympic Nice Natation in France, is hopeful this could prove to be their secret weapon.
"We are really looking forward to coming together for our first match with GB since the World Championships in the summer,” Morris said. “Our last few matches against Russia have been really close.
“With the experience many of our team have gained at various European clubs this season along with our new British coaches Kostas and Theo [Nousios] I hope we can get our World League campaign off to a really good start.”
New head coach Vamvakaris added: “I will be very proud to be for the first time, the head coach of the Great Britain team.
“I am pleased that it is at home as well. Russia is a good team and I know that previously GB has had some tight matches with them.
“As a team we have two days before the game because most of our players are playing abroad. It is my first time working with all the GB squad and I am very much looking forward to it.”
© Sportsbeat 2013