Canoe Polo: International visitors make winning splash

Napier Girls High School's Anna Coppelmans (right) in action for International against Onslow College from Wellington during the weekend's annual Art Deco canoe polo tournament in Hastings. Photo/Paul Taylor

It isn't just the steam trains, classic aircraft and vintage cars that attract international visitors to Hawke's Bay for Art Deco Weekend.

The annual Art Deco canoe polo tournament played at the Frimley Pool in Hastings from Friday until yesterday had an international flavour, too.

Among the 25 teams, three more than last year, was a team named International.

"It played in the women's A grade, the first time we've had this grade in four years, and it included two players from Denmark and one from the Czech Republic," tournament organiser Kelly Walters explained. With a couple of Kiwis helping the international visitors, as good hosts should, International won the grade with a 2-1 victory against Hawke's Bay's Hit and Miss in the final.

An all-Palmerston North men's open-grade final that went to extra time saw Team Black pip Vikings Gold 4-3. Former Havelock North High School player Wade Miller was on the Team Black roster.

Top Hawke's Bay Secondary School team, Hastings Boys' High School Akina, beat Billbos 4-1 in the open B grade final.

Billbos was a selection of Hawke's Bay and Palmerston North players involved in trials for the New Zealand women's team for this year's world championships. Sophie Winton and Jordan Pearse of the Bay were prominent for Billbos.

In the women's B grade final Valkyries of Palmerston North beat Havelock North 4-1.