National Schools' Championship Runners Up 2011

The New Zealand Secondary Schools Canoe Polo Championships were recently held from the 1st to the 3rd of April. The Hastings Boys’ High School junior team qualified for this tournament through our regional tournament held back in March, where we received a wild card entry to Nationals. The team consisted of Rueban Papuni, Andrew Bowden, Ryan Warren, Harry Skelton, Cory Atkenson and Liam Warren

A result of this is that the team was put into the “Pool of Death” containing among others Karamu High School and Horowhenua College. The tournament started with a sensational 2 – 1 win over Karamu, a team who had beaten us twice at the regional tournament. That win gave the boys an understanding of the intensity needed at this level, and also gave us the belief that we had the ability to compete for the title. The next game resulted in a 5 – 2 win over Onslow college and set up a crucial game against Horowhenua, a game which would determine the top qualifier in our pool.  If anyone had any doubts about our team before this game, they were gone after our 6 – 5 win. The score was close the whole game but we always managed to keep our noses in front and fully deserved the win.

Our semi final was against Northcote College, who provided stiff opposition in the first half but fell away in the second as we upped the tempo of the game, winning  11 – 3. This set up a final against Horowhenua who we beat in pool play. The first half turned into an arm wrestle with shots being saved at both ends of the pool.
Horowhenua did gain the upper hand with a goal mid way through the half however. In the opening stanza of the second half,  Horowhenua put immense pressure on our attack and forced 3 turnovers, each resulting in goals. Being 0 – 4 down we could have relented and let Horowhenua run away with the rest of the game. The team had played too well throughout the tournament to let this happen however and we rallied to score 2 goals, but couldn’t make up the deficit. The final score being a 2 – 4 loss.

The boys should feel extremely proud of their achievement. This was only the second time HBHS had a team at nationals and the second placing was a reflection of the commitment and hard work put into training throughout the term. They learned to play to a team pattern and stuck with this at all times which was a pleasing aspect for the coaches. Canoe Polo is building at Hastings Boys’ High School and we now have the resources to compete with other schools around the country. Watch this space.

We look forward to winter league this year as we have an unprecedented number of boys wanting to play for the school.  It’s pleasing to see so many year 9 boys wanting to play the sport. The future for the Canoe Polo at Hastings Boys’ High School is looking bright.

Mr Greg Barclay
Master In Charge of Canoe Polo