Canoe polo makes a splash in region
‘‘My goal is to make the New Zealand team one day’’
The canoe polo scene is alive and splashing in the region, with a strong contingent of young paddlers rising up through its ranks.
With the help of a $30,000 TSB grant the New Plymouth Canoe Polo Association recently purchased top-of-the-range competitive boats so its young players could cut it with the best.
The new gear and a mixed student rep team performed well in the waters earlier this month. They placed fourth in their grade at the Atahua tournament, the nation’s largest pre-season competition held in Palmerston North.
‘‘At times there were a few nail-biting moments. They worked so hard and did really, really well,’’ said coach Bronnie Van Lith.
The sport has long been strong in New Zealand, with the national men and women’s teams currently ranked in the world’s top five. However, it took a bit longer to catch-on in New Plymouth, Van Lith said.
What started out as a large group of local white water kayaking friends who played each other socially over the winter months, evolved into a New Plymouth Canoe Polo (NPCP)organised paddling machine; with coaches, managers, referees and schools on board.
For young wanna-be canoe polo players NPCP held a school league introduction afternoon at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School pools on February 19.
The fun day for year 7 - 13, had all hands on deck for the healthy turnout of newbies. They were taken through a raft of waterbased exercises and safety drills by coaches and well-seasoned players.
For those wanting to participate in the school league, the costs are minimal. All that is needed are togs or a wetsuit - everything else is supplied, including the boat and the pool.
Canoe polo is a fast-paced exciting contact team sport, a blend of ‘‘basketball with a bit of rugby’’. It’s all hand-to-ball co-ordination, tactics and positional play, as well as kayaking skills and technique. There are no set positions, instead there are attacking and defensive roles, with a keeper protecting the goal.
Jadeim McGrory, 15, got his feet wet in the sport a few years back and enjoyed how fast and intense the game was. His grandad introduced him to kayaking, and was the one who took him to his first game.
‘‘I remember at my first game that I played I couldn’t wait until I played next,’’ he said.
With a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, and help from his coaches, he made the Taranaki squad. Now he’s aiming higher. ’’My goal is to make the New Zealand team one day,’’ he said.