I recently had the pleasure of chatting with our three representatives who are heading to China this weekend. We wish them, and all of the NZ players/teams, all the best at the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championship in Deqing, China in the next few weeks. We know you will represent the paddle fern with pride and determination!

Amy, Jack and Jadyn in the Junior Paddle Ferns and Junior Paddle Blacks recently held a fun fundraiser tournament and were "extremely grateful for the support our community showed them in their venture to travel to China and compete in their teams". They raised a decent sum to be able to assist in their campaign that they have been paying for through hard work since April 2024. 

I sat with them to check in about why Canoe Polo? What works for them? And how they are feeling leading up to their trip. Check out their responses. 

When did you start playing canoe polo?

Amy – Year 5 - Puketapu

Jack – Year 5 – Twyford

Jadyn – Year 5 – Greenmeadows

Why did you start playing canoe polo?

Amy – Originally my brother started playing but he sucked and threw tantrums on the side of the pool but I still had to watch and eventually they asked me to start filling in.

Jack – Watching my brother Adam play, and dad played, and then a group of dad’s playing that I jumped in and trained with in social league

Jadyn – Growing up around the sport with my parents and uncle playing made me want to play, plus my mum forced me into it.

What position do you play and what is your favourite?

Amy – Goalie but I haven’t really played anywhere else. Probably my favourite but would be fun to play side guard.

Jack – Top man. But like playing goalie, it’s fun.

Jadyn – Side guard. And loves this spot.

If there was one person who has mentored you or made you look up to, to make you want to be better, who would that be and why?

Amy – Hannah – she coached me in my U14 team and coached me again last year in Storm. And now we are in the same team. Also work ethics, she works so hard and is so dedicated and always puts in the effort.

Jack – Adam – we have always been competitive with each other and I have always wanted to beat him. And I have many times.

Jadyn – My mum – She has coached me all through primary, intermediate then senior high school and has helped me develop my skills all the way. And I wanted to make worlds to show her it was all worth it.

When did you decide that you wanted to compete at an international level?

Amy – I didn’t sign up at first, and when I got asked why I didn’t I thought I would give it a go, so I did and made the choice to go for it.

Jack – Probably when my family went to Aussie to watch Adam at Oceania without me. So decided I wanted to travel Aswell, so I could go with them.

Jadyn – When I started competing at B grade I started having fun competitively so decided I really wanted to compete at a higher level.

How did you feel when you were named to play for NZ in China?

Amy – Speechless, I cried. Still speechless. And grateful.

Jack – Excited, happy to see the results had paid off after years of training.

Jadyn - Was so happy I was skipping around the house for an hour (would have been if I was at home). Pretty excited and so happy.

What are you looking forward to most on your trip?

Amy – Everything. It will be so different.

Jack – Meeting new people and seeing that calibre of polo being played in person.

Jadyn – Seeing CC Palmquist-Dahl and seeing people I have made friends with and making new friends. And getting to play polo against some of the best in my age group.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to kids that are looking to be you one day?

Amy – Never give up, you never know what will happen so just try, give it a go.

Jack – If at first you don’t succeed, keep pushing, keep going.

Jadyn – Never back down, hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.

"Good Luck Guys. We wish you all the best and hope you have an amazing experience. We know you will do yourselves, your whanau and our community proud. You already have!"

Article added and written by Kelly Sherratt: Thursday 03 October 2024