Waterpolo by Frankie Vella

Water Polo

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The 2018 Water Polo season got off to a scintillating start for us with 3 teams. The first were a development team who were a keen bunch of Year 9 students who really stepped up towards the end of the season and will see water polo at LPHS compete well in the next few years.

To mention a few players;  Lucas Dubyk who scored in all 3 (C,B & A) grades adapting his surfing paddling skills to water polo very well.   Shima Jack who went straight to the A team and featured as a strong leader in the pool and coaching the Year 9 development team. Jasper Chapman who will likely lead water polo along with Shima in the next few years. Stevie Power proved quickly that she is a very adaptable player being able to wear the red cap and score goals.

A dashing/splashing B team  had an amazing victory against the Year 9’s and several close games. Stalwarts Caitlin Bathgate, Hamish O’Malley-King and Josie Baughen led the team. The two Jaspers, (Chapman and Seddon) were dynamic around goal. Kaelin, Floyd and Yvon held the back line together while Sasha Freeman wore the red cap in goals. Charis held the middle with composure along with Leven Wu, who worked his heart out. A few Year 9’s popped up to this team as well as the younger Bathgate (Megan), along with Stevie the “Power” and Pepa Cloughley who held their own, and looked very comfortable in the faster grade.

An experienced A team who went on to win the final of the B-grade boys section against a strong development team from Otago Boys had been unbeaten until the final.

Captained courageously by Calum Rogers, with super fish Timo and upcoming super star Shima, Jack.  Alise, Cailin, and Leila held the fort in defence, while Annie, Louis and Anna, caused chaos through the middle and up front peppering the opposition goalies. It was tough to lose Maggie Franks and Rosa Miles-Seeley mid season but they played significant roles upon their return in the final.

Acknowledgements need to be made of Mr Spronken's efforts to get water polo into the position it is at the moment at Logan Park and of the work he had already done with the senior team to have them ready to play at the level they were at this year.

Overall a great season of development all round for the players as individuals and as teams who really worked well together and should be really excited about next season.