19/09/2026
The water polo team had a great AIMS campaign. After a narrow 2–1 loss in our opening match at the AIMS Games, and learning the true value of a good night’s sleep, the team bounced back brilliantly, finishing pool play with three solid wins.
We came out firing in the 9th–12th place bracket, winning both crossover games convincingly to set up a thrilling playoff for 9th and 10th. The team finished 10th overall, an incredible achievement, especially as one of only three mixed-gender teams in the top ten. Throughout that final match, the team made everyone proud by fighting for every ball, trying new tactics, and backing each other up until the final whistle. Beyond the scoreboard, the tournament was packed with highlights, from endless van rides powered by a 5-hour Spotify playlist to Liam’s non-stop one-liners.
For me as manager, the standout moment was when a grandparent from another school shared how much she enjoyed watching us because our players worked as a true team rather than individuals. The growth in their skills, confidence, and camaraderie over the week was remarkable. A massive thank you to our whānau for your unwavering support, driving to Central League games at 8:00 PM on a Sunday isn’t easy, but it gave the team the edge they needed to shine. We are all so proud of everything they’ve achieved this year!
(Manager: Lucy Lewis / Coach: Maddy Lewis)
📸 Trevor Bond
