FEATURE ON SPORT
WATER POLO: SUCCESS AFTER SUCCESS In 2020, the CGS Water Polo Programme witnessed outstanding success after success from the athletes and coaches with six students representing the ACT at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYC) in Brisbane, in January. Finishing 16th out of 35 teams in the U16s Girls Competition, Elanor Campbell (Year 10), Millie Jacobson (Year 10), and Elisabeth Milson-Mahy (Year 10) displayed spectacular performances. In the U16s Boys Competition, CGS was as equally represented by Zach Newman (Year 10) and Jack Hawley (Year 10), and their team finished 8th in a strong competition of 32 teams. Finally, Lachlan Newman (Year 6) played in the ACT U14s team and performed well throughout the week. Following successes at the AYC, Zach was selected in the U16s Australian Water Polo Squad, with the potential to be selected at the FINA U16s World Water Polo Championships in Greece and the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Championships. In February, the U14s Girls teams coached by Ms Wright, and the U16s Girls team coached by Mr Waser, headed to Wagga Wagga to compete in the NSW Water Polo Junior Country Championships; the U14s placed 5th and the U16s achieved an 8–7 win in the semi-finals, and subsequently went on to take home the silver in the finals. The weekend proved to be an informative and fun experience for the teams. Continuing these achievements in March, Millie Jacobson (Year 10) was awarded the U14s Girls Representative Player of the Year for 2019. Finally, the CGS U14s were proudly awarded champions of the ACTWP 2019/2020 Summer Competition after a terrific season with an 80% win record. The team consists of the following players: Savannah Bogar (Year 8), Gayathei Goel (Year 8), Lillian Healy (Year 7), Cecelia Jacobson (Year 7), Lauren Parton (Year 8), Domi Platis (Year 9), Jasmyn Richardson (Year 8), Victoria Spark (Year 9), and Angela Xie (Year 8).
30 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2020
The team was coached by Ms Wright, who did a terrific job in developing them both in and out of the pool and achieving impressive results. Additionally, kudos also to Savannah Bogar, who was awarded the prestigious ACTWP MVP for the U14s Girls’ competition title.
SCORE! WATER POLO LANDS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL Following a pilot programme in Term 4 last year, CGS Water Polo introduced a programme to the Primary School in Term 1. The programme works in collaboration with Canberra Water Polo Academy with a goal of transitioning to play in the Senior School (Year 7). Focused on fun and learning the fundamental rules over the term, students improved their water polo skills and developed swimming, passing, shooting, and overall fitness. Along with the high-quality external coaching provided, Senior School students have also assisted with in-water coaching. Having Senior students, Zoe Bond (Year 10), Millie Jacobson (Year 10), Elanor Campbell (Year 10), and Zach Newman (Year 10) participate in coaching this term was extremely helpful. CGS Water Polo is looking to enter its first U12s team in local competitions in the near future.
