OBHS water polo teams glide to a glistening gold and silver finish!

By Elaine Kelly | Posted: Thursday April 7, 2022

It is with much pride that I report that not only did both the A and B teams reach the finals of the Dunedin Secondary Schools' Water Polo Competition, but that we come away from this season with Gold and Silver!

It has been a very long and hard season between Covid absences and camps taking boys away. Not to mention it's the longest term of the year! However, the water polo boys have truly been stalwarts through all of this.

The B team has had a sterling season and this team has developed a good level of cohesion. The new Year 9 players have proven their worth and they are a very dedicated bunch in training too. They have also attracted praise from outside of the OBHS community. Emma, the coordinator of the Secondary School's Competition, wrote to me to praise them on how they set the whole pool up for her without being asked. A true show of this term's value, Respect.

Last night they kept us guessing with even scores for the first three quarters which meant it was all down to the last four minutes. Unfortunately, key strengths and more experience within the Logan Park team meant a Silver Medal for the B Grade boys but they are a young and aspiring team who are determined to bag gold in Term 4!

The A team kept King's Lions on the run for the entire match as well and evened the score in the last few moments to end up 4-4. This meant that it came down to a "Golden Ball" moment. This meant that it was down to which team scored the first goal. The winning goal was set up by Ollie Cashmore and tapped in by Whetu Price-Koopu to bring us gold! This match is one of the best examples of true team play that I have seen in the last few years.

I take this opportunity to thank Paul Wagner, our community coach for all of his hard work training the boys and for the numerous family hours he gives up to be there poolside for them on Thursday evenings. Recognition must also go to Eddie Wright and Whetu Price-Koopu who have been coaching the B team on a Wednesday at lunchtime. They have done a great job. Thank you Paul and the boys.

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