Brenda Clayton | NZCPA - Six out of seven of the New Zealand representative canoe polo teams took away gold last weekend at the Oceania Championships, held at Nagambie Lakes, Victoria, Australia.

New Zealand was represented in seven categories, under 18, under 21, and senior teams for both men and women, as well as an open masters team. With such a stellar performance New Zealand managed to bring home the Julian Carter Memorial trophy which Australia claimed at the last Oceania Championships held in 2013.

Senior mens captain Jed Graham said "The almost perfect tournament to be a kiwi! Taking out all but one division on Aussie soil was a brilliant display of dominance."  "We went over to reclaim the trophy and did so in emphatic style. Every NZ player performed at a world beating level to put the results beyond doubt."

Coach of the NZ women’s team Peter Housiaux commented ‘it was a pleasure being a part of the Oceania Campaign and with such an awesome bunch of young Woman, the future for NZ Canoe Polo is looking very bright with the talent we have coming through.  They should all be holding their heads high, there was some extremely good polo played over the 3 days’. Housiaux also commends his co coach Kate Bolton for her effort and excellent coaching skills.

Housiaux also stated that this ‘is an outstanding achievement in any sport and is encouraging for prospective New Zealand Teams and in particular with the World Championships coming up in 2016’.

From here the New Zealand teams start their build up for the 2016 World Championship campaign, which will be held in Syracuse, Italy.

The squads aim to improve on its impressive results from the 2014 World Championships which saw the under 21 womens team come away with the bronze medal.  The senior women and under 21 mens team both placing 4th overall.  And the senior mens team moving up 6 positions to rank 7th in the world.

The Oceania senior teams:

• Men: Aaron Crabb, Jason Dalziell, Jed Graham, Mitch Graham, Nevan Hadley, Sam Hapeta, Matt Keong, Alex Lowen
• Women: Cat Jeffries, Jess Nugteren, Gemma Potaka, Ella Richardson, Britney Rolston, Nicole Symons, Sophie Winton