Exciting Water Polo Nationals tournament for Rosmini teams
The April holidays saw the Premier team and Senior A water polo teams head to their respective National tournaments. Senior A, accompanied by manager Liz Markovina and teacher Ms. Emma Walling, spent all of Easter with the boys and Old Boy coaches Ethan D’Souza and Zachariah Stewart, along with all the team’s whānau in Hamilton. Benji the ‘Easter Bunny’ Bryce arrived in time for an Easter Egg Hunt, paintball fun was had and games were played, mostly in the outside pool at Cambridge.
The boys had some exciting games during pool play where they demonstrated resilience, great teamwork and commitment especially when playing against first teams from schools across the country. They ended up Plate Winners in 9th place. Well done boys and thanks to the wonderful supporters, manager(s) and coaches for a great season.
Results for Senior A
- Vs CBHS 6-8 loss
- Vs SHC A2 3-15 loss
- Vs Wentworth/Kingsway/Whangaparāoa 8-6 win
- Vs St. Paul’s Collegiate 7-6 win
- Vs TGS 6-3 win
- Vs WBHS A2 4-7 win
The Premier team regained a top 8 spot at the Div.1 Nationals in Rotorua after a tense and edge of your seat game against rivals St. Kentigerns. They broke “the St. Kent’s curse”, as Old Boy supporters Matt Leadbeater and Ethan McKolskey said after the game. It was an exciting game that seesawed in each quarter, but with fantastic saves by goalie Ed Wescott and leadership from captain Kayden Godbold, the boys pulled through with a well-deserved 11-9 victory. From there, it was always going to be an uphill battle for this young team against the best Premier teams in the country.
Although the remaining games were losses, their spirit, teamwork and determination to play for each other remained steadfast and bodes well for the future of Rosmini Water Polo. Year 10 rookie players - Eddy Perry, Kenrich Shek and Josh Leadbeater - contributed well in the team, with Eddy Perry having to pose as goalie in our final game as well as Year 11 Oskar Gerdin, due to three of our Year 12 players out for the game against foes AGS. This final game of the tournament meant all team members, especially the Year 13s (Ollie Sahinkaya, Luc Sangster and Alex Rutkiewicz) had to step up - and they did. It was great to see these three show leadership in the pool and also enjoying their final game for Rosmini! We look forward to seeing what this young Premier side has in store for 2025 and beyond.
Although the team had little down time, they did manage a few massages with Sam Brook, some ice bucket challenges, and a team dinner at Lonestar (with some awesome entertainment) as well as holding a team Master Chef competition and progressive dinner on our final night.
Thanks to coaches, Lachie Griffiths, Will Catlin (Old Boy), parent manager Eddie Morrison, and manager Rachel Peak for giving up their time and ensuring the team had a successful trip and season.
Results for Premier team
- Vs Kings 5-11 loss (to NI champions)
- Vs St. Kentigerns 11-9 win
- Vs TBS 5-13 loss
- Vs Rangitoto 5-11 loss (eventual winners)
- Vs WBHS 5-10 loss (2nd place getters)
- Vs SHC 4-17 loss
- Vs AGS 9-14 loss (8th place overall)
