Hero photograph
Waterpolo team
 

Waterpolo 2015

Arnika Hazelwood —

Water-polo is a sport that requires the ability to swim well and then be able to fight for the ball. It is a full contact sport and the players have to be determined and brave if they are to be competitive. 

Each game is divided into quarters with one minute between them. In the pool there are five outfield players and a goalie. Players are only allowed to hold the ball in one hand but your opponents can grab your hand and try and turn the ball over. In and under the water there is a lot of skill and strength required and the players have worked very hard to develop these skills in 2015.

The sport has gone from strength to strength this year and this is reflected in the increase of numbers playing. This surge in popularity meant trials were required and we now have two teams, one for Year 9s and 10s and a senior team. Competition in water-polo is fierce and physical and as we have two mixed teams we are often required to play against all boys squads and our players have shown that they are more than capable of holding their own. The senior team has been in a difficult grade yet they always remain positive and never give up. Ben Clayton plays almost every minute and he and Abby Spronken score most of the goals. Claire Caird, Desiree Heinze-Farrington, Siobahnn Quinn, and Gabe Kennedy-Atchison work hard in defence and Gabe has been a very good backup goalie. We have been well served in goal by Oliver Eden-Mann who while having only played this year has become a rock in defence. Tait Familton, our Captain, Sophie Huntington and Phoebe Booth fill in wherever needed. The team ended up fourth but have always remained positive and with so many of the players being in Year 11 the future looks good.

The highlight of the year for the junior team was playing in a tournament. Led ably by Louis Freeman we ended up the top ranked co-ed team and defeated Bayfield 6-0 before losing to a strong OGHS squad in the final. The junior team has worked very hard to improve their skills and everyone has been dedicated to attending practices on Sunday afternoons. Calum Rogers and Leila East-Giles have shared the goalie duties and inspire confidence in the defence. Josephine Broughton, Rosa Miller, Anna Denys and Cailin Rogers are strong and determined in defence. Louis Freeman, Annie Kennedy-Atchison, Henrike Christ and Alise Allnatt carry the ball up and try to score the goals.

The future of the sport looks bright and with the positive attitude of all the players and the support of Ms Brown and Mr Spronken we all look forward to another great year in 2016.