Panasonic Pan Pacs News Blog

Tauranga U14 Boys Look up to Role Model Joseph Kayes

Tauranga U14 Boys know Joseph Kayes as more than just another great water polo player.

Joseph Kayes is a legend in Tauranga Water Polo. He played for New Zealand in every age group possible, including the NZ Senior Men, and is now playing professionally in Hungary.

Joe Kayes playing for his Hungarian Club

Joe (photo right and below) has played 3 seasons in Hungary and has signed for another 2 seasons with his club team Szeged Beton.  

Ferenc Kemeny, who was in charge of the Hungarian Junior National Program for many years, spotted Joe when the Hungarian Junior National Team came to New Zealand in 2008. Seeing the outstanding talent that Joe had, Forenc promptly offered Joe a professional contract. Denes Kemeny (Ferenc’s son) is the Hungarian Men’s National Team Coach and under his guidance, the Hungarian Men have won the last 3 Olympics Gold Titles.

Joe lives in Szeged, which is 160km south of the Capital, Budapest. His Club pays for the house that he and another player share, they get to choose their own house/apartment. Sounds like his club try to keep Joe happy so he will keep playing for them! Joe played one season in Australia before heading across the world to Hungary.

Joe Kayes

Joe has loved playing overseas. 


“The experience is awesome and it’s a very nice lifestyle, especially now because I'm playing in Malta in the summer league for 3 months so the work is definitely worth it.”

Joe is looking at Nationalizing and trialing for the Hungarian National Team in the lead up to the 2016 Olympics. Even though Joe is a bit of a super star in Hungary, where water polo is one of the National Sports, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. Joe likes to give back to his local community when he is back in town.

Tauranga U14 Boys Halftime Team Talk

“I always come back and coach and love sharing my experience and skills. I can bring back new drills and outlooks on the game, especially with the younger Tauranga teams. I know what it was like growing up and playing in Tauranga with other clubs having so many more older experienced players."

"Basically professional water polo is my full-time job now and I see it both as living the dream and playing sport but also the money is a big aspect, along with part time study towards a degree in Agri-Commerce.”

After watching the impressive skills of the Tauranga U14 Boys Team last night, there may be another professional Water Polo Player amongst them. Joe has definitely inspired many players throughout Tauranga and New Zealand and looks to continue to do so in the future. 

In the bronze medal match of the U14 Panasonic Pan Pacific Final last night Tauranga beat North Harboud A 11-5. One of the team’s standout players is Cayne Dew, who is also a member of the NZ U15 Boys’ Team. Head Coach and former player, Jordan Gregory led the Tauranga Team to victory.