Tauranga Hosts NZ's First Ever Ocean Based Water Polo Event

Tauranga Water Polo has announced that they will be holding New Zealand's first ocean-based water polo event, Water Polo on the Waterfront, in February of 2019.

"What we're really keen to bring to the Tauranga waterfront is a fun, exciting, fast and action-packed couple of days of some really high profile waterpolo," says Danny Kayes, one of the driving forces behind the event.

"There's going to be some pretty cool aspects to the tournament."

A 25m by 15m pool will be roped off by the tidal steps beside The Strand and it's hoped 12 club or composite teams from around the country will compete in the two-day tournament on February 23 and 24, 2019.

Consent has been granted by the Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (one administers the steps and surrounding areas, the other looks after the harbour) and both local bodies are supportive of the idea.

Kayes hopes that with food stalls set up on the Strand or in the grassy areas near the children's playgrounds, and with music playing, it'll be a popular late summer attraction in the city.

Teams will have slightly fewer players than usual waterpolo in the pool.

"We'll have a five-person playing field instead of the normal seven, and matches will be eight-minute halves instead of eight-minute quarters, so each will be half the normal duration. The idea is there'll be more action and it'll be faster waterpolo to watch."

To enter a team, send a message to Water Polo on the Waterfront on Facebook.


Content from Bay of Plenty Times

Zach Monk