NZ Canoe Polo National Schools Championships

NEWS RELEASE
from Hutt City Council
23 March 2006

NZ CANOE POLO NATIONAL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS SHOWCASES FUTURE TALENT

The Wellington Canoe Polo Association is hosting the New Zealand Canoe Polo National Schools' Championships at Naenae Pool from Friday 31 March to Sunday 2 April.

About 300 Secondary school canoe polo players from around the country will showcase top level skills, tenacity and drive over the fast and frantic three-day tournament.

Anticipation has been building over the last few months, as schools around the country have attended regional qualifying tournaments to earn a spot to represent their school at the championships.

Tournament Director Paul Leitch believes that the secondary school championships is a great feeding ground for the future New Zealand youth and senior teams and that the standard of the competition will be high.

"Canoe polo is getting stronger every year and with the calibre of some the secondary school players, I expect that some of the up-and coming teams will provide a keen challenge to some of the more established schools"

Round robin play begins at 2:00pm on Friday 31 March with the finals being played on Sunday 2 April between 12noon and 3:00pm.

Spectator entry is free and Wellington Canoe Polo welcomes spectators and media to attend.

Naenae Pool will also host the NZ Canoe Polo National Championships from 3 - 5 June.

Background

Canoe Polo is a 5-aside sport that has been described as "basketball on water". Competitors score goals by shooting a water polo sized ball into a 1.5m by 1m goal suspended 2m off the water.

Defenders ram their kayak into the ball carrier's kayak and can block a pass with their paddle or use their hands to push their opponent under the water. This fast and tactical game demands skilled boat handling as well as expert paddling and ball skills.

ENDS

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