13 days to go: Past Pan Pacs Player Profile - Joe Kayes

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.