Over the recent school Holidays we had fourteen teams competing in the U16 and U18 Div 1 and 2 National Championships - a two massive weeks of Water Polo for the Club and saw 150+ Club Members in action! This was the end of the season for these Age Group teams which they have been training and working towards since the beginning of Term 2.

U16 Season Re-Cap

Our U16 Boys teams showed their strength this year, with a record number of 6 teams entered into the National Championships.

Our Maroon Boys were dominant throughout the season and only dropped games in the Auckland League to over the bridge rivals Marist Red. The team regrouped for Nationals and showed their dominance throughout the tournament with no team able to get within five goals. They continued this through to the final where they showed another dominant performance taking out the final 9-2. Team member Jack Buckley was also named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.

Our Maroon Girls also had a fantastic season. With most of the girls having travelled to the Hawaii Tournament together early in the year, it gave the girls time to bond and become a real close-knit team. The girls came 4^th in the Auckland League competition after several close games leading up into the final few weeks of games. They came out firing at Nationals determined to place higher. The girls had an outstanding tournament together and their teamwork was essential in getting them through to the final. The final was a closely fought game, with the girls right in the match until the final whistle. They came away with a 2-goal loss and picked up a well-earned Silver Medal.

Both our Black Boys and Girls have showed throughout the season they can be competitive against any of the teams in Division 1. Our Black Boys came away with a Bronze in the Auckland League which was a fantastic result. During the Nationals they had some extremely close games with 2 goals and two tied games. They had a close fought final game in which they again lost by only 1 goal and came away with a 6^th place finish. The Black Girls had a really well fought tournament, they had several changes to their team in the final week leading up to the tournament but the girls really stepped up and played some exceptional Water Polo. They did extremely well to make the 5^th/6^th play-off where they ended up also coming away with 6^th place.

In the Division 2 Nationals we had some very determined teams coming off a solid Auckland League season. The White Boys had placed 2^nd in Auckland League which saw them go down by only 1 goal in the final. The boys came to Nationals determined to again make the final which they succeeded in doing (and beat the tea they lost to in the Semi). The final was close throughout the whole game, in the end the boys going down by just one goal to take out Silver.

Our White Girls were impressive throughout the tournament after coming off a nail biting Bronze penalty Shoot out win in Auckland League. The team played hard throughout the tournament and after losing their Quarter Final had an amazing game to take their 5^th-8^th semifinal by one goal. They ended up going down in their final game to came 6^th place.

Our Blue Boys, Girls and Yellow Boys all had a great tournament, there were lots of improvements from our players throughout the two terms along with some really great wins and close losses throughout. Our Blue Girls also got their first win of the season in one of their final games, which was a highlight for sure!

Overall, it was great to see so many of our club members in the water playing over the two tournaments. It was clear to see that all the hard work put in by the players and coaches had paid off throughout the season. The results were great but the experience, development of our players, and friendships made were something special for all our teams.

U18 Season Re-Cap

This year we also had a record number of players trial for our U18 teams. We had Maroon, Black and White in both Men’s and Women’s division which was really fantastic to see our players coming through. Many have been with the club for several years.

Our Maroon and Black Teams were entered in the Division 1 competition and after completing the Auckland League comp headed down to Christchurch to compete in the Nationals Champs.

Our Maroon Men were heading into Nationals having just won the Auckland League competition beating rivals Marist Red by 1 goal in the final. The Boys had an easy run through to the top of their pool, with a tied result in their cross overs they went through top of their next pool to claim a very close 9-8 win in the semi-final. The final was a rematch between the rivals at Marist where this time the Marist side came out on top in a close 9-6 final which meant a very credible Silver Medal for our Men.

Our Maroon Women came into the tournament playing together as a team for the first time during the season. The girls had a massive day 2 at the tournament with the team coming together and playing some outstanding Water Polo which put them through top of their pool. The semi final was a nail biting one with the girls going down narrowly by just one goal. The Bronze Medal match was a tough one for the girls to get back up for which saw them come away with a 4^th place finish at Nationals.

Our Black Girls had a fantastic tournament and the improvement throughout the season was evident in their games. They were very competitive against the top teams of the tournament. The team had two strong games against Tauranga and rivals Atlantis Aqua which saw them take the win by 1 goal in both games. The had done the hard work to get into the 5^th/6^th play-off and ended the tournament in a very well deserved 6^th place. The Black Men came into the tournament with the aim of playing some good Water Polo together after a tough Auckland League season. They had several close games including almost taking down the Canterbury A team. The team came up against Marist Blue in the play-off for the Plate in which they went down by 3 goals, a massive improvement from Auckland League where they lost by 8 goals. The boys finishing up in 10^th place.

This was the first year we had U18 White teams for North Harbour, and it was great to see so much depth in this age group. Due to there being no Division 2 for Boys our White Boys were placed in the Div 1 comp for Auckland League. They had some tough games but showed great determination throughout finishing up their season in 11^th place. Our White Women competed in the Div 2 Auckland League and National Championships where they came away with a 5^th place in both events. The girls showed real improvements over the season and came away from the National tournament with some really good wins.

We would like to say a massive thank you to our coaching team who worked with these teams throughout the season including those coaches who helped throughout the Squad trainings in Term 2. Your dedication, positivity, enthusiasm, and support for the players over the season did not go unnoticed and we are grateful to have such wonderful coaches here at our club.

U16 Boys Coaches: Jake Lockwood, Shannon Hughes, Bailey Clague, Will Catlin, Ella Roberts, Nemo Radjen.

U16 Girls Coaches: Rachael Roset, Chelsea Geary, Sarah Stewart, Kara Voss, Ava Cooper, Sophie Catlin.

U18 Men’s Coaches: Nemo Radjen, Logan Geary, Liam Black

U18 Women’s Coaches: Chelsea Geary, Amy Brotherton, Brandon Matthews, Bene Catlin, Ava Cooper

Article added: Tuesday 17 October 2023