2010 New Zealand Senior Teams Announced - PRESS RELEASE

The New Zealand Canoe Polo Association is proud to announce the 2010 New Zealand Men’s and Women’s Canoe Polo Teams (the New Zealand Paddle Blacks and Paddle Ferns respectively). The New Zealand Paddle Blacks and Paddle Ferns will compete at the World Canoe Polo Championships from the 1st to the 5th of September in Milan Italy.

In what could be described as one of the tightest selection events in New Zealand Canoe Polo history the teams were officially announced on the 25th of April following the finals of the Christchurch National League Tournament. Selector for the Men’s team Kirsten Demanser-Wilson commented that, “it was exciting to see the tough competition between the men’s teams over the first of three national league weekends. The selection process was very intense as we had many exciting players competing for the 8 places in the New Zealand Men’s team. All players selected displayed outstanding skills, fire power, speed and that special ‘X factor’ which will help them take on the rest of the world later this year.“

After a very successful 2009 season culminating in winning the Oceania Championships the Paddle Blacks have set their sights high and are aiming to be the first New Zealand Men’s team to medal at a World Championship event. In the past few years the Paddle Blacks have undergone a vast amount of development and this is beginning to show in the team’s results as they quickly slide up the international rankings. The Paddle Ferns have proven themselves to be a formidable force having consistently placed in the top four over the past four years. After a disappointing fourth place at the 2009 World Games the team is stronger than ever and is ready to show the world that Kiwis really can fly.

PADDLE FERNS

Erin Bolton - Palmerston North
Julie Bolton - Palmerston North
Alison McCrae (c) - Christchurch
Tania Perrett (vc) - Christchurch
Paris Pidduck - Otaki
Freya Sonneland - Nelson
Olivia Spencer-Bower - Christchurch

Coach: Nick Burnett
Manager: Alison Perrett


PADDLE BLACKS

Anthony Barendsen - Palmerston North
Hamish Dugdale - Christchurch
Carl Duncan (vc) - Palmerston North
Jed Graham - Christchurch
James Mitchell - Palmerston North
Tom Neilson (c) - Christchurch
Jimmy Sewell - Adelaide/Christchurch
Mike Taylor - Wellington
Coach: Steve Hunt
Manager: Carol Taylor