On Monday, 20 November, the St Bede's Junior Water Polo Team travelled to Blenheim to compete in the South Island Junior Secondary Schools' Championships.

Keen to continue the college's winning streak, the team had some work ahead of them. The boys successfully won pool games against King's High School (Dunedin), Christchurch Boys' High B, Christ's College, and Marlborough Boys' High. The final pool game against Christchurch Boys' High A team was intense and saw St Bede’s lose by one goal, with the final score 8-7.

St Bede's advanced to the semis, where they once again met Marlborough Boys' High. Marlborough Boys' had gained strength over the pool games and challenged the St Bede's boys. It was a close game, with St Bede's going on to win 9-6.

Entering the final, the boys knew they had to overcome a strong Christchurch Boys' High A team. Not only had this team beaten us in the pool round, they had also done so during the weekly Term 4 tournament, so we knew the final was going to be intense between these local rivals.

And what an intense final it was! The first half was nail-biting, requiring players, coaches, and spectators to remain cool, calm, and collected—easier said than done! The players focused on the task at hand and played to their strengths, going on to win 12-5. They were rewarded with becoming the winners of the tournament. What a way to end the week!

In addition to the team’s success, Marlborough Water Polo nominated Alex Baillie, Finn Corcoran and Henry Graham as part of the tournament team.

Congratulations and thank you to coaches Jared Talanoa (2018-2022), Josh Fraher (2019-2023), and Angus Nevin (2019-2023), who did a fantastic job supporting the team over the term and during the tournament.

The team is very proud of their achievements and, of course, for successfully retaining the South Island Junior Secondary Schools' title for another year.

Thank you to all who supported the team, either at home or from the poolside. A special thanks to Tony Lane for the wonderful photos taken during the tournament.