Since winning the first women's Olympic water polo tournament in their home country at Sydney 2000, the Australian team has come up agonisingly short; fourth at Athens 2004 followed by bronze at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

On Sunday (19 June), it was members of the gold-winning team from 16 years ago who called up today's players to remind them how it's done. The Australian Olympic Committee tasked the Sydney heroines with telephoning the current squad to confirm their selection for Rio 2016.

Current team captain Bronwen Knox, who will be competing in her third Olympic Games, said she initially thought the phone call from Sydney 2000 player Simone Hankin was from a telemarketer.

“It was so special to talk to Simone – after two Olympics it was just a nice way to find out you’ve made the team. To be able to talk to her about things we have both experienced, like coming back from injury, as well as her insights on how to deal with different things leading into an Olympics."

“The group of girls we have are so energetic, everyone single one of them puts in all they have and we have the same dream of winning that medal together, and that’s really helped keep me motivated,” Knox said.

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Coach Greg McFadden said it was fitting that the Sydney 2000 side made the call to members of the Rio team, as they had inspired many of the current crop of players to get involved in the sport.

The team for Rio 2016 will see Knox and Gemma Beadsworth both line up for their third Olympics. Five players will be competing in their second Games and six will be making their Olympic debut.

Among the debutants is Keesja Gofers, who is keeping the family water polo tradition alive with her sister Taniele playing for Australia at the Beijing Olympic Games.

“I got the call from Bron (Smith) from the Sydney team and I started to cry. I’d spoken to Bron before but to have a one-on-one conversation with her was incredible," Gofers said. “Her advice was really valuable – just reassuring me not to be nervous, I’ve been here a million times before and when the whistle goes I’ll know what I need to do."

Eyes on the USA crown

The Australians, known as 'the Stingers', will head into Rio 2016 ranked among the teams with the greatest chance of stealing the Olympic crown from the USA, who have dominated the pool in recent years and won gold at London 2012.

Last week Australia claimed bronze at the FINA World League Super Final, behind Spain on silver and the USA, who won the title for the third consecutive year.

At each of the last three Olympic Games, the Australians have been defeated by the USA. In London, the Americans eliminated Australia in the semi-final on their way to win gold.

Coach McFadden believes the Australians now have what it takes to defeat the Olympic champions.

“This team has more fire power which sets them apart from the last two Olympic teams I have coached.  Previously we’ve relied on our senior players to be the leading goal scorers but over the last 12-18 months our younger players have been among the top scorers."

“For our new Olympians, they bring a wealth of experience each playing more than 100 international games. They have all competed at the World Championships and World Cup levels so they have the big game experience."

The Australians will face Russia, Italy and hosts Brazil in the preliminary rounds of Rio 2016.

See the water polo groups for Rio 2016

Matches will take place at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre and the brand new Olympics Aquatics Stadium, which was inaugurated in April. The women's water polo competition will run from 9 August to 19 August.

See the full water polo competition schedule for Rio 2016