Interbase Water Polo
By FLTLT Darryn Welham
Interbase Water Polo 2010 was hosted by Ohakea over the period 5–8 March 2010, with the actual competition conducted at the Linton Army Camp pool. The event also included an exciting swimming Relay Competition. Base Auckland’s FLTLT Darryn Welham was there.
For the uninitiated, water polo is similar to football—both codes aiming to move the ball past the goalie to score goals. In water polo however, there are a few twists—you use hands instead of feet to direct the ball to your team mates; swim instead of run; and tread water instead of stand, while you call for the pass.
In some ways water polo is also similar to rugby—it can be aggressive. Despite numerous rules that mean you can’t tackle and dunk the opposition, the referee can’t see much under the water, so a lot of ‘jostling for position’ occurs underneath the water! Theoretically, you can get the ball off the opposition player, however if you are seen to lean on them and dunk them under the water, a foul is awarded against you and they get a free throw. It’s all great fun!
Armed with a thorough understanding of the code, Base Auckland’s water polo experience and training helped them conquer their opponents, to take out the competition. But Ohakea gave them a run for their money in the Relay Competition, scrapping into first place in both events. Speed through the water was an advantage for both competitions, so Speedos (for men, of course) were the order of the day.
Water polo has successfully contested its removal from being an official RNZAF sport in 2009 and achieved reinstatement. This year’s Interbase Tournament proved the growing enthusiasm for the sport, with full teams from each of the three Bases competing for the first time since 2003. Woodbourne’s team of rookies learned heaps from the experienced players and we look forward to chasing them around the pool next year.
Water polo teams across the Bases are always keen to expand their teams, so if you can swim and like a good tough competition, give water polo a try!
2010 Results
Interbase Water Polo
Water Polo Interbase Final Game
- Auckland (11) v Ohakea (2)
Interbase Swimming
- 6 x 1 Freestyle—Winner: Ohakea
- 4 x 1 Medley—Winner: Ohakea
Tournament trophies
- The Greer Cup (Interbase Water Polo competition winners)
Auckland
- The Goddard Cup (Relay swimming competition winners)
Ohakea
- The Laurie Corlett Memorial Trophy (Men’s player of the tournament)
FGOFF Lachie Johnston, Ohakea
- The Corlett Memorial Cup (Female player of the tournament)
PLTOFF Hayley Price, Auckland
- The Dave Sherriff Trophy (Sportsperson of the tournament)
AC Blair Paterson, Woodbourne
- Rookie of the Tournament Certificate
FGOFF Alex Tredrea, Ohakea