The Otago U12 Water Polo Team had huge success at the National Olympic Hopefuls tournament recently, winning their grade and being crowned champions!

Columba College Year 8 student Olivia Brown is a member of the Otago U12 Water Polo Orcas team and took part in the Olympic Hopefuls tournament in Auckland recently. Their team had a superb tournament across the three days of competition, winning every match and cementing their place at the top of the junior grade for Olympic hopefuls.

Day one saw three wins for the Orcas team, with a massive 11-0 win over Waitakere Navy, a forfeit win for game two, and a convincing 6-1 win over Atlantis White to finish off the first day of competition.  

The Orcas team performed equally well on day two, finishing off their round-robin matches with a tough challenge against the Hibiscus Coast Red team, securing a 6-4 win and placing them top of the pool to head into the semifinals. Their semifinal match was next, up against the Harbour Dolphins team, and Olivia's Otago Orcas team performed with incredible fitness and strength to win this game 12-3! Finals time it was!

Day three dawned and a grand final match-up against the North Harbour Frogs was on! Nervous energy was aplenty, however, the Orcas showed their class and composure, did not leave anything in the tank, and came away with a very impressive 6-3 win, crowned as the champions of the Olympic Hopefuls Tournament, and representing the South with talent and pride! Congratulations, Otago Orcas!!