Canoe polo: Bay rep's appeal for dough

Sian Fendall during a training session in the countdown to the world champs. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hawke's Bay canoe polo player Sian Fendall is on target to compete in three world championships in the same age group.

Considering the world championships are held every two years, this will be a significant achievement if she ticks it off. Fendall, 19, is one of four Hawke's Bay players selected in the New Zealand Under-21 women's team for the August 29-September 10 worlds in Syracuse, Italy.

Ella Richardson, Alexia Hinton and Madison Gaiger-Grove are the others. Richardson and Fendall were in the 2014 under-21 side which won bronze in France and are among five from that squad which have been named in the eight-strong team for Italy.

Ella Richardson, Alexia Hinton, Madison Gaiger-Grove and Fendall.

"We're going for gold this time. We now know what to expect in terms of the level of competition and the physicality from the European teams. They play more polo at a higher level while our national league consists of three weekends of play," Fendall explained.

Should the under-21s fail to capture gold in September, Fendall will have one more opportunity at this level when Canada hosts the 2018 worlds. Her team, which is coached by Cantabrian Luke Anderson, is one of 10 confirmed entries for their grade at the worlds.

Just 12 players trialled for the under-21 women and Fendall believed the fact all New Zealand teams are self-funded was one of the reasons.

"I've got 10 weeks to fundraise the $12,000 required. It's tough when you have study commitments as well," Fendall, who is a second year psychology student at Massey University, explained.

"Obviously I will go regardless of whether or not I reach the amount. It just means it will be more of a burden on my parents who have carried me financially since I took up the sport in year six at Parkvale School," Fendall said.

The trial process involved four training camps and the team will have another three before travelling to Europe. They will have two buildup tournaments in Belgium and a week-long training camp in Rome before the world champs start.

Fendall's individual training sessions involves an hour of work on the water and an hour of gym work each day.

Canoe polo is my only passion these days. I want to go on and represent New Zealand at senior level in the future," Fendall said.

Another four Hawke's Bay players, Jed and Mitch Graham, Matt Keong and Conor Sellwood have made the New Zealand senior men's team.

Two Bay reps, Connor Taylor and Ethan Flanders, have made the New Zealand under-21 men's team.

Fendall said all the New Zealand teams are considered medal prospects.

In addition two players from out of the province who represented the Bay this season, Lucia Stettner and Erin Bolton, were named in the Kiwi under-21 women and senior women's teams respectively.

Fendall has set up a 'Give a Little' page to assist her with her campaign. It is: givealittle.co.nz/cause/sian2worldchamps

HB Reps for Worlds:

Senior men: Jed Graham, Mitch Graham, Matt Keong, Conor Sellwood.

Under-21 men: Connor Taylor, Ethan Flanders.

Under-21 women: Sian Fendall, Madison Gaiger-Grove, Alexia Hinton, Ella Richardson.