The summer season started well in January with trainings in the CBHS pool and with senior coach, Dave Bone leading the way.

A large group of players were keen and working hard to improve their skills prior to competition starting. Our school entered two teams in the mid-week competitions and play began. The A team were on track to travel to Dunedin to contest the South Island Water Polo Championships, 28 March – 1 April and then possibly the National Division 2 Water Polo Championships, 14 – 17 April. Unfortunately, Covid-19 interrupted the Canterbury competition and then the two tournaments; our country went into lockdown and the summer season ended.

Come the end of the year, when things had turned around, the Junior Water Polo team headed to Jellie Park for the South Island Secondary Schools Junior Water Polo tournament which was during the Junior Summer tournament week, 23 – 29 November. The team had been training hard since the start of term four in the CBHS pool twice a week and were ready to go!

First up was a tough game against Rangi Ruru – eventual winners of the tournament – which the team lost, but in which they played strongly. After this game they had wins against Otago Girls’, STAC/Marlborough combined, Villa Junior B and Burnside to finish second in their pool. On to the crossovers and another win against Villa Junior A. The team then had a challenging semi where they ‘gave it their all’ but ended up losing, against St Margaret’s College. The play off for 3rd/4th spot against Otago Girls’ was a great game but the team lost 9 – 6, so it was a very creditable 4th place in the South Island for our team.

Over the tournament the team played with spirit and, in every game, played until the final whistle. Well done to all team members. Thank you to the parents who supported the team during the four-day tournament. Thank you to Emma Bone (assisted by Jorja Bird and Dave Bone) for taking on the head coach role, displaying lots of enthusiasm and great coaching advice. A great tournament for all!

A huge thank you must go to Dave Bone, our head coach. Dave has put in many hours training the CGHS players throughout the year and has ensured the CBHS school pool has been available for trainings.

All players, senior and junior, are looking forward to 2021 and a complete water polo season.