FEATURE

Oamaru to host 2015 Secondary Schools Canoe Polo Championships

By Waitaki District Council

Schools from all over the South Island will converge on Oamaru in early August to compete at the 2015 Secondary Schools South Island Canoe Polo Championships.

The competition will take place at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre with teams coming from as far away as Nelson and Invercargill.

Waitaki Aquatic Centre Manager Matthew Lanyon says 26 teams will be competing and Oamaru will experience an influx of teenagers and caregivers over the weekend 7-9 August.

Mr Lanyon says, “It is shaping up to be one of the biggest tournaments in recent years.  We have been working closely with organisers over a number of months to bring this event to Oamaru.  We have helped arrange accommodation as well as suggesting activities and attractions for the competitors around Oamaru and the surrounding districts.”

The tournament is likely to attract over 250 people to Oamaru, bringing significant economic benefit to Oamaru and surrounding districts.

The main pool will be closed from 6pm Friday 7 August to 3pm Sunday 9 August, however the children’s pool and spa pool will remain open.

“This is a great opportunity for people to come and see a sport that is not often seen outside main centres.”


Photo taken at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre in 2013

Teams representing their schools from around the South Island compete at regional qualification tournaments to earn entry to the New Zealand Canoe Polo Schools Championships.  The top teams from each of the qualification events are eligible to contest Under-15, Uunder-19 Division I, and Under-19 Division II categories at the national event.