On Saturday 24 August Otago Girls' Dodgeball team the Nauti Lassies skippered by Charlotte Thompson competed in the National Dodge ball tournament.

It was many of the girls' first time competing at such a level in Dodgeball. The girls' first game was against Otago and was a bit of a learning curve with the Otago Women taking the Nauti Lassies out 8 to 0. The students then combined with the Marlborough Muscle to compete in the Mixed Division. The Marlbourgh Muscle squad contained three New Zealand Dodgeball players including the captain and these players helped the girls develop strategy while beating the Auckland Make Sharks 8 to 0.

In the second round of the women's competition, the girls took on Auckland and were very unlucky to not take the first point in the set. An unbelievable catch by Carrin Gaspar did tie up the match at 1 to 1 and the girls celebrated their first point. The game was very even but eventually, the Auckland women came out victors winning 3 to 2.

Dominance continued though in the Mixed competition with the girls being heavily relied on to Despatch the Otago Mixed side and East Otago, the only other school side in the comp, 6 to 1 and 7 to 2 respectfully. This meant they sat top of the mixed pool.

The final game of the women's comp saw the Nauti Lassies take on a combined side from Auckland/ Canterbury and despite a valiant effort, they couldn’t turn them over to get the win to take them into the Finals, the game finishing 2 to 5 to Auckland/Canterbury. Despite their day in the Women's competition being over the girls where now into the knock out rounds of the competition in the mixed Division.

Competition was tense yet they went into the Quater final against the Auckland Megamouth Sharks as favourites and lived up to the title taking the quarters 3 to 2. The girls' efforts were integral to this win. 

Unfortunately, the Combined side narrowly missed out in the Semifinal with the Dunedin Fire breathers beating them 4 to 3. All in all a great fun day and a great introduction to the sport. The Year 13’s are now are looking forward to the Term Four Prefects vs Staff game and any juniors are reminded to keep an eye out for the Junior tournament in Term Four.

Official results:

Lost 0-8 against Otago Titans

Lost 2-3 against Auckland Hammerhead Sharks

Lost 2-5 against Mixed Auckland/Canterbury

Finished 4th in Woman’s Pool

MIXED DIVISION (joined Marlborough Muscle Mixed Team)

Won 8-0 against Auckland Mako Sharks

Won 6-1 against Otago Titans

Won 7-2 against East Otago High School

Finished 1st in Mixed Pool A

Won 3-2 against Auckland Megamouth Sharks in the quarter finals

Lost 4-3 against Dunedin Fire Breathers in the semi finals