NZ teams dominate with four medals

New Zealand continue to dominate international underwater hockey after winning three gold medals at the fifth CMAS age group underwater hockey world championships in Sheffield, England.

These world championships are held bi-annually among the Under-19 and Under-24 men’s and women’s grades.

New Zealand had teams in all four grades and ended the competition with three gold medals and a bronze at the weekend.

The Under-19 women’s team continued its dominance with a close 3-2 win over the Colombian team in an exciting final.

They were unbeaten in the tournament and their success was capped with the naming of their captain, Greta Clark, as the player of the tournament for the grade.

Clark said after the win ‘‘she was so happy to be part of this great team and the way in which they played at this tournament especially in the final’’.

She also praised coach Tristan Reynard, ‘‘for all of the hard work he put into coaching the team’’.

The Under-19 men’s team also went through unbeaten and dominated Great Britain in the final, 8-2.

Jackson Godfrey (Auckland) was named the player of the tournament.

Coach Warwick King (Nelson) was ecstatic with the win.

‘‘I am very proud of the team – they are a very talented group of players and thoroughly deserved their gold medal’’.

The Under-24 women’s team beat France 3-1 in the final to retain their world championship title.

The team went through the round robin games with a single loss to the third-placed Great Britain team in a competitive and close grade.

Anastasia Burn (Wellington) was named the player of the tournament. Captain Marieke Bavelaar (Auckland) said: ‘‘This was a great result for this team with so many younger players and in such a tough competition. I am so proud of them.’’

The Under-24 men’s team finished third with a comprehensive 5-1 win over South Africa after losing to eventual winners Turkey 1-0 in the semifinals.

Coach Sam Cooper (Auckland) said he ‘‘was very proud of the team especially with their 5-1 against eventual winners Turkey in round robin’’.

New Zealand’s chef de mission Sarah Arnold said: ‘‘It was a very successful tournament for New Zealand and great for the sport in which New Zealand continues to dominate on the world stage.

‘‘We are all so proud of the players and their efforts at these world championships.’’

The players all paid their own way to the tournament. Both men and women have held the world titles every year – except 2015.