Bridgette Gusterson wanted to be a gymnast but grew too tall for that sport so turned her attention to water polo, hoping the women’s sport would someday make the Olympic Program. She was named to the Australian National team in 1992 and eventually earned 212 caps, scoring over 400 goals. In 1995 she led Australia to the World Cup title, scoring a hat trick in the gold medal match against the Netherlands. From 1995-97 she played professionally for Orrizonte in Italy. In 1998 she was made captain of the Australian women’s team.
Gusterson realized her dream when women’s water polo was added to the Olympic Program for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She helped Australia win the first Olympic gold medal in that sport, assisting on the tie-breaking goal in the final match against the United States. Gusterson shared the triumph with her sister, Danielle Woodhouse. Bridgette Gusterson later coached water polo in Australia, retiring after the Sydney Olympics. In 2017 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Australia