The Columba Senior A Waterpolo team are very proud to have won the bronze medal at the South Island Secondary Schools tournament held in Christchurch last week.

The team versed teams from across the whole South Island, from Marlborough right down to Southland, with a high calibre of sportsmanship and skill displayed by every team. 

First up, we played Marlborough and it was a tough start - probably the easiest way to describe it was “being thrown in the deep end” (pun intended). This was one of our hardest competitors and, as it so happened, this team was also the last team we met during this tournament. Thankfully we bet them both times! With each game we improved and the new players to the team now certainly know what a hard water polo game feels like. The only teams Columba lost to over the entire tournament were the eventual First and Second place getters; St Margaret's College & Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, and they certainly deserved their medals. 

During our time in Christchurch we visited the International Antarctic Centre and got to meet Huskies & Penguins, have 3 4D movies put on just for us plus experience a extremely bumpy ride in the Hägglund, all-terrain amphibious Antarctic vehicle. Some of us also visited the Mosque on Deans Avenue to pay our respects to those who lost their lives there only 3 weeks ago. It was very sobering and upsetting.

 A special mention to my other Year 13 team mates, Kristen, Lucy & Maddy who have also played Water Polo for Columba for the past 5 years. It has been an absolute blast. Congratulations to Emily for being named in the tournament team. And to our coach, Luke, of 5+ years, your stability and insight has guided us to be a tight and successful team. The team has 2 more games left this season and we are aiming to leave the season on a high, and win the local competition, which we have done for at least the past 3 years. 

Sophie Gaudin, Senior A Water Polo Captain