Canada Day Polo at Haney

The band played outside, the sun was shining, people were cheering and a P1 category crossover went to a shootout. Could we have asked for a more perfect day then this to host our annual Canada Day Water Polo Tournament, no we couldn’t. With the help of a limitless stream of volunteers from our club, we put on a fantastic day yesterday. A sincere thank you to everyone who came out and helped!! You make these long hours of preparation all worth it. The silent auction was a great success, the 50/50 went at $107.50, food was excellent, and most importantly, the kids had a great time.

Final Standings

In the final P1 game, North Vancouver beat silver medalists Abbotsford, but the repeat of the “thrilla in Manila” where after a tight final game in the round robin Abbotsford and Burnaby met again in the crossover game. I as tournament director watched a bit of most games but, this one for P1 was really good. The kids gave it there all, the parents were on their feet, and talk about loud!! 50+ in the stands and I am sure the kids couldn’t here the coaches at all. Seconds left and the game gets tied, and time ticks to an end. There is only one way to keep this energy going and make this a real memorable game, A Shootout!!! One by one the five players from each side tried to be the golden goal hero that put their team in the gold medal game. Some feeling so much pressure, their shot barely making it to the goalie’s awaiting hands. I am sure the grin on my face told the world this is what it is all about. In the end Abbotsford came up with the clutch goal and they were off to face their defeat against N. Van. Bronze went to a deserving bunch of young talented athletes from Burnaby. Our little Neptunes really do keep improving, finishing the tournament on a positive note and a 5 – 5 tie with Port Moody, where Nicholas “Pico” Marconato was named first star and Nathan Muller the third star of the game. Sam Remfry and Zack Osmond also were named as third stars in other games. Points were allocated to each star as selected by the referee’s throughout the tournament, and this in turn decided the winners of the MVP and MVG awards. The Most Valuable Goalie award went to North Vancouver’s Graham Voiles, while MVP Male went to Bear Fraser and MVP Female to Arianna Momer, both from N. Vancouver. I am sure by the time Regionals get here at the end of this month we will be ready for our best out of three with Abbotsford. Good work, Noah Jensen, Bronte Elphick-Miner, Julia and Alex Rosec, Elena Fierro, Rachel Warwick, Kennedy Badminton and Mitchell Halajian.

Gold – N. Van
Silver – Abbotsford
Bronze – Burnaby
4th – Port Moody
5th – Haney

In P2 action it was obvious there was going to be North Van. – Haney final as each was power housing their way through the competition in each of their respective pools. Haney started strong with a 14 – 2 defeat of Burnaby, followed by wins over White Rock 12 – 3, and 13 – 1 over Vancouver. The theme continued through crossovers with a sixteen to two whipping of Ladner, and as predicted a final with N. Van for the gold. Everyone was left with mouths open as North Van today had spent all it’s gas on getting to the gold medal game and when they arrived they found themselves spent and Haney not feeling very sympathetic. Haney played with confidence and although we expected an exciting game versus N. Van. it was very lack lustre as Haney went on to win unchallenged, by the score of 16 – 1. Most valuable goalie in the P2 tournament went to Haney’s own Nick Bruneau, who although the scores were blowouts did stop a lot of chances the other teams had and played very well throughout the tournament. The Female MVP went to Cheyanne Ghag, and finally the Male MVP went to Giordano Marconato, both of whom are Haney Neptunes. Congratulations to the whole team and coaches, Arianne Yeo, Kelsey Macdonald, Kealen and Zack Osmond, Risa Scott, Emily and Rachel Warwick, Emily Kelvin-Davies, Julia and Alex Rosec, Taeya Fierro, Bailey Germain, Aiden Elphick-Miner, Cole Wagner, Cody Dodds and Matt Torres.

Gold – Haney Neptunes
Silver – N. Vancouver
Bronze – Burnaby
4th – Abbotsford
5th – WRASA I
6th – WRASA II
7th. – Ladner
8th. - Vancouver

Again, Thank You all, for your support, in making this a memorable day for all involved.

A. Marconato
Anthony Marconato
604-467-0258