The New Zealand women's canoe polo team beat Germany 3-2 this morning to secure gold at the canoe polo world championships in Syracuse, Italy.
The team captained by Jordan Housiaux went undefeated throughout the championships; however, in the last game of pool play drew with the defending champion German side 2-2. The Paddle Ferns went on to face 3rd ranked France in their semi final to topple them 4-2 to send the paddle ferns through to the grand final.
The last time the NZ women won a medal it was at the 2006 world championships where they secured the silver medal, losing to Germany. Of the silver medal team two players Olivia Spencer-Bower and Megan Lyons still represent NZ in the Paddle Ferns. The gold medal is the first ever gold for NZ canoe polo.