Water Polo Success at all Grades
The conclusion of Water Polo this year has been remarkable across all age grades with Sacred Heart College currently holding Championship titles for the Premier, Junior, and Intermediate grades:
Premier Team – Auckland Champions and winners of the Chris Hayward Invitational Tournament (in lieu of Nationals)
Premier Development (Senior A) team – Auckland Champions
Sacred A team (Year 9 & 10) – Auckland Champions and North Island Champions
Year 7 & 8 Sharks team – winners of the Tim Sonderer Memorial Trophy, Leading Eastern Champions, and North Island Champions.
The Premier team were awarded winners for the Auckland Premier league after they remained unbeaten before it was cancelled due to Covid-19. They were also strong contenders for defending their North Island and National titles before all competitions were cancelled. The Chris Hayward Invitational tournament was arranged later in the year in lieu of Nationals with the top 10 teams around the country being invited. The Premier team played a great close final against Tauranga Boys College with Sacred pulling out ahead to win 12-10.
The Sacred A Water Polo team took out the final of the Auckland league in late November, after defeating Westlake in the final 6-3. Less than a week later they competed in the four day Junior North Island Championships, played Tauranga Boys College in the final, another very strong Water Polo school. Sacred A won 10-3 to claim the title North Island Champions. Many of the players came through together from the Year 7 & 8 Institute. Their success is evident, with a high level of skill and sportsmanship. During the North Island champs, Oliver Jarvie was awarded best tournament goalie and Noah Grace MVP.
The Year 7 & 8 Sharks team won the Tim Sonderer Memorial Trophy in early November after defeating Northcross Intermediate in the final 7-5. This is the fourth time Sacred Heart has won this Trophy in a tournament with 48 teams involved. They then continued their phenomenal form winning the North Island Championship only two weeks later, after beating Dio 4-2 in the final.
Head Coach Cayne Dew has done an outstanding job with Water Polo this year! Special thanks also to all the other coaches, managers, senior students, and parents that have helped make this happen, in particular:
- Ryan Pike
- Sam Wiley
- Jackson Wiggans
- Harrison Grace
- Matt Grace
- Noah Grace
- Max Byers
- Conor Pointon
- Bronson Chungson
- Shane van Heerden
- Andre van Heerden
- Liam Goh
- Matt Everitt
- Finn Williams
- Ryan Peck
- Sam Sturgess
- James Slyfield
- Deb Evans
- Mrs Ghahremanian
- Mr Greaney
- Mrs Smidt
