World youth water polo on the Shore

The largest water polo event in the southern hemisphere will take place on the North Shore this month.

Attracting over 150 teams from around the world, the 2018 Pan Pacific Youth Waterpolo Festival will be played from 7th to 17th July, with AUT Millennium and Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre set to be key venues for the event.  

This tournament, the 15th version of the event, held once every two years, is the largest in the event’s history. The festival is an enormous undertaking with 164 teams registered to compete, utilising seven pools across the whole Auckland region. 

The event has grown from the first event in 1990, originally based at the West Wave Aquatic Centre, to now includes the AUT Millennium Pool and the pool at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre.

The Pan Pacific Festival is an opportunity to compete in water polo at four different age groups, 14 and Under, 16 and Under, 18 and Under and 20 and Under.  It is a chance for clubs from all over New Zealand to play against each other as well as international entries from Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada and New Caledonia.  

New Zealand Water Polo is proud to partner with Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) to host this event, supported by partners Honda, Mikasa, Delfina and Premium Real Estate Group.

Just four months ago, some of the world’s best water polo nations competed in the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup, held in Auckland, New Zealand. Now New Zealand club teams have the opportunity to compete in the same pools and venues as the world’s best men and women players.

Based on the Shore, New Zealand Water Polo (NZWP) is a not-for-profit National Sports Organisation that provides the sport of water polo in New Zealand.

Water polo is the world’s oldest Olympic team sport, with surprisingly Kiwi origins. Played in New Zealand since 1892, water polo originated in lakes and rivers with players attempting to play water rugby.

In 2017, the sport has over 16,000 participants and an excess of 200,000 spectators and followers who are engaged in the sport in New Zealand and abroad. It is the fastest-growing aquatic sport in New Zealand.

For information go to www.panacsnz2018.com 

 


Issue 89 July 2018