Water Polo: World stage set for talented siblings

The Lewis sisters: Nicole, Simone and Danielle, are representing NZ at the water polo world championships in Russia. Photo / Dean Purcell

They say three's a crowd but for the Lewis sisters, sharing the limelight in New Zealand's top women's water polo team is not an issue.

Nicole Lewis, 26, along with sisters Simone, 24, and Danielle, 22, are going to Kazan, Russia, for the world championships in two weeks. It's the first time three siblings have been in the top team at once.

"We worked so hard for so long, so to wear the silver fern together - it's a really proud feeling," said Nicole Lewis.

The sisters all began training aged 11 and have risen through the ranks in New Zealand, something Lewis said made their parents proud.

"To see us have a goal and be so determined and then finally achieve it is all they could ask for."

All three sisters coach at their old Auckland college, Diocesan.

Lewis said sibling rivalry wasn't a problem but things could get heated during games. "Danielle and I play opposite positions and they're probably two of the most aggressive positions in the pool," she laughed. "We're all very competitive but we want the best for each other as well."

The amateurs of the New Zealand team face a huge challenge at the worlds taking on the professionals of the leading nations. New Zealand take on Brazil, Greece and hosts Russia in round robin play.

"It's a pretty hectic schedule," said Lewis, who is training with her team twice a day in the lead-up to Russia.

"We've got the schedule of professional athletes but we're amateur athletes on top of full-time jobs."

Captain Jasmine Myles said a top-eight placing would mean a funding increase for the 12th-ranked Kiwis.

Myles said the Lewis sisters were talented.

"They're awesome, Danielle is probably one of our main defenders and Simone is an awesome shot, she always gets it in the top corner."