South Island Secondary Schools Canoe Polo Champs Return

Published on 08 August 2022

For the ninth year in a row, the Waitaki Aquatic Centre will host the South Island Secondary Schools Canoe Polo Championships. The competition is growing with a record number of entries and teams coming from as far away as Napier.

The competition will run across the weekend from 12 – 14 August. The main pool will be closed to the public from 11am on the Friday until 5pm on Sunday 14 August. The children’s pool and spa will still be open and running.

Canoe Polo is an exciting spectator sport and entry to watch is FREE. Bring the family down to watch some games.    
               Fri 12 Aug – 1pm – 9pm
               Sat 13 Aug – 7.15am – 9pm
               Sun 14 Aug – 7.15am – 4pm

Aquatic Centre Coordinator, Simon Terry said “Canoe Polo is a popular sport that North Otago spectators do not often get to see. The SISS Champs are always a welcome event at the Waitaki Event Centre, and we look forward to hosting new teams in Ōamaru this year. We hope that the teams will have a bit of time to enjoy the activities and attractions around Ōamaru between competition events.”

Any event like this, especially with growing numbers, brings also bring a significant economic benefit to Ōamaru and surrounds with players, parents, official and crowds booking accommodation and enjoying some of Ōamaru’s award winning restaurants.

This year we have 22 teams entered which includes several schools coming to Ōamaru for the first time and 3 teams coming all the way from Napier Boys High School.

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.

ENDS