Waikato
Women Looking Stronger Than Ever
Yesterday the Waikato U18 Women’s Team went
head to head with the NZ U16 Girls’ Team. Some thought this would be an easy
game for the NZ girls, but Waikato played well and managed an impressive 8-6 win after being down for most of the
game, but dominating the fourth quarter.
Due to pool constraints, the team only
trains 55 minutes per week. Their first game as a team was the first game of
the tournament only a few days ago.
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| Sam Lockett-Turton |
The team is playing well and they are a
strong and aggressive team. There are also quite a number of stand out
players. Head Coach, Doug Campbell gave player of the game to Sam Lockett-Turton (photo left) who scored 4 out of the 8 goals against the NZ U16 Team.
Goalie Courtney Miller is in NZ Junior Women’s
squad. If she is successful in her selection, she will be attending the FINA
Junior World Championships to be held in Australia in December.
Waikato has also had more recent success
with players being rewarded with NZ Trials and being placed in NZ Development
Teams. 2 players were in the NZ Development Team that travelled to Hawaii in
2011 and 4 girls received New Zealand School Girls' Trials. Emma Ballard is in
the NZ U16 Team and Holly Jonson and Brogan Houghton are in the NZ U15 Team. An
up and coming player to watch for from Hamilton is Emmerson Houghton (Brogan’s
younger sister).
Doug Campbell (photo right) reflects on his
highlight of the tournament below:
“The highlight of the tournament so far was
being ahead of North Harbour A U18’s at half time.”
Doug Campbell is also an A Grade Referee
and has been involved in Waikato Water Polo and New Zealand Water Polo for
decades.
