With just 9 days to go until Pan Pacs 2016, we're throwing it back this Thursday to the all New South Wales affair that was the 2014 under 16 men's final.
Both New South Wales City and Country sides showed outstanding sportsmanship by forming a circle together in the pool before the match and doing their signature "New South WALES" cheer.
Country's R. Mulligan opened the scoring off a 6 on 5 attack. B. Artemi and C. Negus responded with a goal each for NSW City to take the scores to 1-2 heading into the second quarter.
Country's #4 Lucas Mackaway made up for an exclusion in the best possible way - scoring a goal down the other end to equalise, 2-2. S. Narigle slotted another goal for Country to push them out to a 3-2 lead. NSW City's Negus put another tally next to his name and brought the score to 3-3.
An exclusion on Mackaway saw NSW City's S. O'Shea score in the last two seconds of the half to make it 3-4 in favour of New South Wales City.
Country got the most out of the half-time break with Mackaway scoring a quick goal to bring the score to 4 a piece. An exclusion each from both teams saw no goals, until Country's Connor Morgan capitalised on a 6 on 5 opportunity to take the score to 5-4.
2 goals for NSW (L. Rayner, C. Negus) in the last minute of the quarter saw NSW City take the lead heading into the final five minutes of the final.
NSW Country squandered a man-up attack, then #13 Connor Morgan was excluded resulting in City coach M. Holden calling a time out. Holden settled his team and ran them through the play.
The boys took the water, the ball swung from wing to wing and S. O'Shea scored a ripper past Country final-quarter-goalkeeper C. Walter.
3 more time outs led to no goals, and New South Wales City were elated at the sound of the final whistle - they had taken the 2014 Pack-a-Goal Panasonic Pan Pacific Under 16 Boys' Championship.
Hype is building amongst the water polo community as Pan Pacs 2016 draws ever-closer: now just 10 days away.
It was all go all over the country, with fixtures being held from north to south in build-up to the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival that kicks off next Saturday.
Canterbury held a 12-team Tri-Series tournament over the weekend with Marlborough and Southland, which saw the Canterbury under 16 boys come out on top. Check out the full results here. Canterbury under 20 men, under 18 women, under 16 boys and girls, and under 14 boys and girls will make up the 6-team contingent from the Canterbury region at Pan Pacs. This is up from Canterbury's three teams in 2014.
Wellington continued their Thursday regional league, with teams from Palmerston North Boys' High School, Hutt, Maranui, and Harbour City clubs competing at Huia Pool and the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty regions united when the Tauranga under 20 and 18 men took on their under 16s combined with Rotorua's RTC athletes at Baywave. Waikato under 18 women also had a match against the Tauranga under 16 girls, and the Rotorua under 14 boys collided with Tauranga at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre.
Auckland held the region's under 20 men's final which saw Marist defeat North Harbour, whilst the same two clubs qualified for the under 18 women's final to be held this weekend. Sea Wolf and North Harbour will contest the Auckland under 18 men's final.
North Harbour held their second Pre-Pan Pacs tournament, and it was this time for the under 16s. Waitakere defeated the hosts in a tight 7-6 boys' final, whilst North Harbour Maroon overcame their Black team 6-0 in the girls'. A total of 14 teams from six clubs took part, check out the full results from the under 16 Pre-Pan Pacs tournament here.
With 11 days to go until the largest-ever Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival, we are rewinding the clock to the Pan Pacs 2014 under 18 women's final between Corona del Mar and Australia Born '98s!
AUS Gold's Danielle Morrissey opened the scoring with an outside shot from a 6 on 5 play, out-faking the CDM goalkeeper Heidi Ritner. Two exclusions against CDM led to no goals from the Aussies, with some clear finals-nerves apparent. Corona Del Mar's Eliza Britt scored one for CDM in the 2nd quarter to equalise, from a man-up play. Grace Morgan from CDM put two goals to her name including one penalty. Half-time score 1-3 to CDM. Britt scored another for CDM early in the third quarter to push her team's lead out to three. 3 exclusions and a time-out led to no more goals for the third quarter - CDM sitting ahead 1-4. Missed shots and poor passing from the Australians meant that CDM had the chance to head down the pool on counter-attack - and earned another penalty. Morgan converted again to extend her team's lead to four with 4 minutes left to play. A goal from Aussie Gold's Emma Jones gave them a whiff, but wise movements from CDM forced Lara Zimmerman to give away a penalty - letting Gracie Morgan score her fourth for the match. Australia's Tess Jenkins had the final say, scoring an outside shot with 7 seconds left on the clock. CDM waited out the time, and then jumped in the pool to celebrate their 3-6 victory over the Australian Gold Born '98s. Eliza Britt was named Most Valuable Player after scoring two goals in the final!
Marist's under 20 men's team will be the Auckland team to beat after they took out the region's league finals on Sunday.
The Marist side beat Auckland rivals and 2014 Pan Pacs champions North Harbour 9-7 at Diocesan Pool on Sunday in a tight finale to the 6-team competition. Phillip Hargraves scored three goals for Marist, whilst his teammate, Conor Paterson - fresh from a year at Golden West College in California - also scored three.
North Harbour held a one goal lead for the first half, but the teams headed into the final quarter locked up at 6-6.
Sea Wolf Grey grabbed the bronze medal, 13-8 over Marist B, whilst Waitakere claimed 5th over Sea Wolf Black.
The under 18 women's semi-finals saw Marist and North Harbour rise above, and they will contest the final next weekend for the winning-edge leading into Pan Pacs. North Harbour made easy work of their B side in their semi, whilst Marist had to dig deep to overcome Waitakere 10-8. Next weekend's final will be a repeat of the under 16 girls' final at Pan Pacs 2014, where the North Shore side took the honours.
Sea Wolf will play North Harbour in the under 18 men's final after two tense semis - Marist Red and Waitakere Gold will contest for bronze.
The clock is ticking on the Pan Pacs 2016 countdown: the start of the largest-ever Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival is now just 13 days away.
Last week, we caught up with Aussie Shark Joseph Kayes who is on his road to Rio, currently playing in the World League Super Final in Huizhou, China. Joe scored four goals in the Australians' 15-4 win over China, and will play Japan for 5th place later today. Kayes hails from Tauranga, New Zealand, and played in his first international tournament - the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival - as an under-14 player in 2004.
What years did you play at Pan Pacs?
2004, 2006, 2008
What teams did you play for?
Tauranga, NZ, Maranui, North Harbour. I played Under 14 club, Under 15 Trans-Tasman for New Zealand and I believe U16 at the same time, as well as Under 18s and Under 20s.
How did Pan Pacs help shape the player you are today?
It was one of the tournaments that was huge to look forward to as it provided international competition, at a fantastic level, in our own backyard. The excitement and build up was always great, and the crowds were always good in the finals. I guess the taste of international competition gave me the hunger to be better and compete at a higher level and it was always awesome to be able to play in front of family and friends. Also playing the NZ U15 stuff was great as it was my first taste of international competition besides an Under 14 trip to Perth in 2005.
What was your favourite thing about playing at Pan Pacs?
My favourite thing was the hype and excitement of having two weeks of international polo against international teams that I didn't know much about. I was fortunate enough that I also played for many teams over the years when Tauranga didn't have teams, so I managed to play under different coaches and with different teams. I made lots of mates and got to spend my school holidays hanging with family and friends in Auckland and playing polo which was perfect for me!
I think something that NZ kids are unaware of is the input and work behind the scenes to make tournaments such as Pan Pacs work and for us to be able to play against such competitive international teams at such a young age is amazing and it's a great introduction to international level water polo. Check out this video of Joe from way back in 2009, playing for Tauranga at the West Wave Aquatic Centre.
With two weeks left to go, we are very pleased to release the draw for the 14th Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from July 9th - 19th, 2016!
The festival opening ceremony will take place at West Wave Aquatic Centre on Sunday July 10th at 7:15pm. The 2016 Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo is bigger than any of the thirteen editions of the festival that have gone before. 151 teams from four nations will compete in 570 games stretched over 10 days of competition at six venues across Auckland. 129 teams competed in 2014.
The festival is divided into five sections:
Under 20 competition - Saturday 9th - Tuesday 12th July
Under 16 competition - Saturday 9th - Wednesday 13th July
Festival Rest Day - Thursday 14th July
Under 14 competition - Friday 15th - Monday 18th July
Under 18 competition - Friday 15th - Tuesday 19th July
Please note, the above dates are confirmed and will not change. However, the game schedules are subject to change and should be treated as provisional until confirmation closer to the festival's start date. Please click the images below to go to the draws, subject to change.
15 days left on the calendar until game day! We're busy working behind the scenes to deliver you the largest water polo event in the Southern Hemisphere.
This Friday, we've gone through the archives and found the six most recent Pan Pacs logos and banners! It's fair to say things have changed over the years...
But one thing has remained mostly consistent, the water polo fern ball. The fern ball is symbolic of the native New Zealand ponga tree. The ponga fronds unravel to produce silver ferns, the icon of New Zealand's sports teams, including water polo.
The differing colours of the Pan Pacs fern ball represent the clubs and nations from across New Zealand and the world who converge on Auckland for the festival.
With only 16 days left on the Pan Pacs 2016 countdown, we're throwing it back this Thursday to the 2014 Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival Under 16 Girls' final between Auckland clubs North Harbour and Marist.
North Harbour took the lead 3-1 at halftime, but blew it out to 7-2 at the three-quarter break with a hat-trick from current New Zealand women's player Liana Dance. North Harbour's centre forward duo of Dance and Emily Nicholson was too much for Marist - the pair scored 7 of the team's 8 goals in the final. Nicholson was named the Most Valuable Player - final score 8-3.
We are celebrating
17 days to go by congratulating North Harbour Water Polo Club who took out
their own Pre-Pan Pacs Under 14 tournament over the weekend. The tournament was hosted
at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre -Auckland city’s newest aquatic facility and
one of the core venues of the 14th Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival.
Thirteen
teams from Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga took part in the three-day
tournament, which was all about getting some good games under tow before Pan
Pacs, said North Harbour’s Julie Ellis.
“The
Pan Pacific Festival is a big event on the water polo calendar. Invites were
sent out to all Auckland based clubs and we were fortunate to also have teams
from Tauranga and Waikato attend the Pre-Pan Pacs tournament.”
North
Harbour won both under 14 boys and girls divisions, beating Hibiscus Coast boys 9-5 and
Waikato girls 12-1.
“The
weekend was a great success as it has enabled coaches and players to have an
understanding as to how their preparation is going and what needs to be worked
on leading up to Pan Pacs” said Ellis.
North
Harbour have fourteen teams entered in the festival across the age groups. The
club has four titles to defend – under 20 men’s, under 18 men’s, under 16
girls’, and under 14 girls’: all who won gold in 2014.
“All
our teams are excited about the international flavour this competition offers.
It is a fantastic opportunity for our club and players to profile the sport of
water polo.” said Ellis.
Auckland's North Harbour claimed their fourth title of the festival, after beating Canberra Water Polo Academy 10-5 in the final. North Harbour's Daniel Marsden was named MVP after scoring an influential 3 consecutive goals.
19 days to go until Pan Pacs 2016! This Monday we are celebrating National Volunteer Week. Without volunteers, New Zealand Water Polo and the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival would struggle to exist.
This year, National Volunteer Week started yesterday and will run through until Saturday 25th June. Events will be held to recognise and celebrate the vital contribution of New Zealand's approximately 1.2 million volunteers to social development, the economy, and the environment. The year, National Volunteer Week focuses on time through the following two sayings: Make time - Whai whā, and Thanks for making time - Kia ora mō tāu whai whā.
Through this campaign, Volunteering New Zealand hopes volunteers will be recognised for making time for their communities.
We would like to thank all of our volunteers, from flippa ball through to high performance, for what you do for water polo in New Zealand. We often take for granted the work that most deserves our gratitude. To all the volunteers who will be in Auckland in 19 days' time, and to all those volunteers who helped them on their journey - volunteering is the backbone of this sport - thank you!
The
countdown to #PanPacs2016 is well and truly on with just 20 days to go, and to
celebrate, we’re giving you a list of 20 things to do for under $20 in
Auckland.
Many of
these activities are perfect for the festival rest day, when no games will be
played, on July 14th.
A photo posted by Luke Elliott (@usernamesaretough) on
Take a
stroll on one of the newest additions to Auckland city’s walkways. Also known
as the Nelson Street Cycleway or the ‘Magenta Mile’, Auckland’s LightPath is an
old section of the central city motorway turned shared footpath and cycle way. The
LightPath was opened in December 2015.
A photo posted by Your Waterfront (@yourwaterfront) on
Celebrate
the Māori new year at the Matariki (eyes of god/cluster of stars) Markets at Silo Park on the weekend of 16th and 17th July. Over 50 stalls of art, craft, fashion, and of course...a whole lot of food.
3 – Piha - West Coast
The home of NZ's equivalent to Bondi Rescue - Piha Rescue - Piha Beach is one of the most popular and picturesque beaches in the country. But looks can be deceiving, it's also one of the most dangerous. Just a 30 minute off-peak drive from the West Wave Aquatic Centre.
4 - Kitekite Falls - West Coast
CDM Polo boys at Kitekite Falls at Pan Pacs 2014
Whilst located in Piha, the Kitekite Falls deserve a spot on the top-20 of their own. The three-tiered waterfall cascades over 40 metres of rock in the Waitakere Ranges. A short bush stroll will get you there, you can even swim in the natural pool at the bottom and go under the waterfall, that is, if you can handle the brain-freeze.
5 – Ferry over to Waiheke
Island
If you find yourself with some time up your sleeve, Waiheke Island is the perfect place to go for an escape from the poolside, although, you will be breaking the $20 budget. Catch a ferry from the Auckland CBD across the Waitemata Harbour, and you'll be in another world in 40 minutes. Calm beaches, wineries, art galleries, and some of the country's top restaurants are all located over on Waiheke.
Take your pick - there are about 50 of them in Auckland (although the number is hotly-debated - all dormant, of course!). Many of them are easily accessible - if you have some to kill and fancy getting some fresh air whilst at Diocesan, St. Cuthbert's, or Epsom pools, take a stroll up Mt. Eden for epic panoramic views of the city. Or, if walking is not your thing, you can even drive.
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If you're funky about flora and fauna, or just down for some mad Herbology vibes, get amongst the Auckland Winter Gardens. Located at the Auckland domain, the Winter Gardens were designed way back in the early 1900s.
If you find yourself midway through the tournament thinking; "I haven't yet had enough of pools", then here's another one you can visit. Waiwera (meaning hot [wera] water [wai]) is the perfect place to unwind in the naturally hot thermal pools, or have a go on the slides.
Also known as 'the Bubble', other than via water, there's only one way in and one way out of Devonport: choose the funner option and ferry across to Auckland's favourite seaside village. Home of NZ's biggest star Lorde, and arguably cooler things like North Head (also a volcano - full of war tunnels accessible to the public, dating back to the 19th century), the Navy Museum, and Cheltenham Beach. Do the twin peaks by exploring both Mount Victoria and North Head.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of New Zealand's most iconic buildings - but it's what inside that makes it special. Everything you need to know about the winter exhibitions you can find here.
A photo posted by Emma White (@emmalaurenwhite_) on
Where Auckland city meets the ocean, the Viaduct is the entertainment hub of the central city. Over 30 restaurants and bars nestled amongst berthed vessels and super yachts. Art & Sound kicks off just around the corner at Silo Park - light and projection-based artists will transform Silo park with moving image and light from 5pm until late on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th July.
Potentially one of the best places to eat in the city, Ponsonby Central is a food lover's dream. Fresh produce, coffee, and even DIY caramel or chocolate-injected donuts. Arguably the most-Instagrammed place in Auckland, Ponsonby is susceptible to some pretty good banter as pointed out in this 2014 parody.
Even though adult entry is $8 over budget, a trip up the Sky Tower is unforgettable. Unprecedented views of the city, glass elevator floors, and a restaurant 182 metres above the ground.
A photo posted by Sharon Abigail (@sharonabigail05) on
A must-do for any machine or motor vehicle enthusiast, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) provides a fun and exciting learning experience for visitors of all ages. MOTAT's core vision is to "use NZ's heritage, kiwi ingenuity, transport, technology and associated stories in a creative and interactive way to educate and inspire the innovators of tomorrow."
16 - Mission Bay
Perfect for a quick escape from the pool at Sacred Heart, Mission Bay is one of Auckland's most popular beaches. Best enjoyed with ice cream or frozen yoghurt from KiwiYo or Movenpick.
A photo posted by Liam John Charles Cer Bendigo (@liam_jccbstewart) on
At the top of Auckland's Queen Street you'll find Karangahape (K) Road. Auckland's home for everything vintage, arty, and second-hand, and as always, some pretty cool cafes.
The central city's main drag, you'll find everything you need on Queen Street. Aotea Square, cinemas, cafes, dining, shopping - the world's your oyster.
19 - West Coast Beaches
Piha included, the West Coast beaches are a must-do for rugged, authentic New Zealand beauty. Whatipu, Karekare, Bethells, Piha, and Muriwai are all equally untamed. Bethells Beach has even been graced by the one and only Taylor Swift, who shot her 'Out of the Woods' video there in 2015 and called it "the most beautiful beach I've ever been on in my life".
