MVP: Rotorua's Josh Balmer was selected as the most valuable player at the Under-14 Water Polo Development Tournament in Rotorua at the weekend. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
MVP: Rotorua's Josh Balmer was selected as the most valuable player at the Under-14 Water Polo Development Tournament in Rotorua at the weekend. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Water Polo Rotorua's boys' team has produced a golden performance at an under-14 development tournament.
They finished first in the tournament, held at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre over the weekend, after a comfortable 10-4 win over Tauranga in the final.
A young Rotorua girls' team also impressed, picking up twowins and a draw against some experienced opposition on their way to an 11th place finish.
Water Polo Rotorua president Slim Potter said the boys' team had a "great tournament".
"They went through unbeaten and started very strongly in the final against Tauranga - they were up 6-0 after the first quarter.
"They're a good bunch of boys with some really strong players, it was a great result. They were fast and played some good counter-attacking water polo. They defended strongly and transitioned to attack quickly when they got the ball," Potter said.
Rotorua's Josh Balmer was named most valuable player in the boys' tournament and his teammates Ronan and Tarquin McKenzie made the tournament team. For Rotorua's girls, Zoe Stubbing was named in the tournament team.
STRONG: Rotorua's Max Harvey in possession during the Under-14 Water Polo Development Tournament. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Potter said he was impressed by the way the girls' team persisted and kept their heads up in what was a tough competition.
"They took a bit of a beating in their first game, narrowly lost their second, had a good win in the third, a close loss in the fourth, a big win in their fifth and a nil-all draw in the last game.
"It's a very young side, the average age wouldn't be more than 12, three are younger than that, it's really good experience and we can build from here."
He said the tournament itself was "fantastic" and ran smoothly.
"We've got a great committee and a good bunch of kids who were really well behaved, there were no major issues. The aquatic centre staff are fantastic, they couldn't be more helpful.
"Now we start preparing for nationals in December, the boys are in Wellington and the girls go to Tauranga," he said.
