Subscribe to The NZUA And Support the Underwater Community

Packed with the latest diving news, events and deals, the NZUA newsletter is a monthly must-read for all those passionate about the New Zealand underwater realm.
Subscribers directly support NZ Underwater's activities in the marine environment, help leverage govt. funding for safety campaigning and grow participation across the sector.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

NZ World Underwater Hockey Champions!

Nov 6, 2020
Sports
News
NZ World Underwater Hockey Champions!

The New Zealand Men's and Women's Underwater Hockey teams have won the 2018 World Champs titles in Canada earlier this year.

The New Zealand Men's and Women's Underwater Hockey teams have won the 2018 World Champs titles in Canada earlier this year.

Women's Team

The event was held in Quebec in July (2018). The New Zealand teams had to pay their own way to the tournament and had the largest supporting crowd there.

Despite the challenge of pools one metre deeper than at home, both teams beat their rivals (Britain for the Women's team, France for the Men's) and secured the titles.

The New Zealand women are world titleholders in 2013, and silver medallists at the 2016 world championships in South Africa (where the men finished fifth).

The Women's team was made up of: Claire George (Captain), Emma Rae (Vice Captain), Paige Morgan, Leah Chamberlin-Gunn, Rachel Arbuckle, Rachel Colquhoun, Christie Whitehead, Rebecca Gatland, Grace McGaw, Abby Vorstermans, Emma Bavelaar and Gabi Steer, with Rebecca Brosnan as their coach.

The Men's team was made up of: Rob Tinkler (Captain), Brendan Maxwell, Liam Watson, Jesse Hocking, Jeremy Webster, Andrew Gunn, Andre Heller, Nick Healy, Ed Firth, Hamish Arthur, Andrew Harris and Ben Paviour-Smith, and Benson Taylor was the men's team coach.

Sarah Arnold, Underwater Hockey New Zealand (UWHNZ) chef de mission, said the team overcame many challenges to deliver this incredible result.

"The pool depth in Quebec is three metres whereas New Zealand pools are two. Teams arrived a week before tournament so they could practice in the deeper pool.

"The heat was a challenge - most days in the high 20s with the hottest day reaching 34.

C7D_3884.JPG

"We arrived at the accommodation on Friday [July 13] to find there was no fridge, cooking stuff, utensils, cutlery or plates. By Sunday, we had a fully functioning kitchen."

A wonderful result, making a name for New Zealand in the world of Underwater Hockey!

Underwater Hockey New Zealand currently hold the following trophies:

  • U22 Men's Trans Tasman Cup
  • U18 Men's Trans Tasman Cup
  • U23 Women's World Cup
  • U18 Men's Trans Tasman Cup (No. 2)
  • Elite Men's World Cup
  • Elite Women's World Cup
  • 1988 World Cup Shield
  • U19 Women's World Cup
  • Trans Tasman Plate
  • U22 Women's Trans Tasman Cup
  • U18 Women's Trans Tasman Cup
  • U23 Men's Trans Tasman Cup
  • U18 Men's Trans Tasman Cup
  • U23 Women's World Cup
  • U18 Men's Trans Tasman Cup (No. 2)
  • Elite Men's World Cup
  • Elite Women's World Cup
  • 1988 World Cup Shield
  • U19 Women's World Cup
  • U22 Women's Trans Tasman Cup
  • Trans Tasman Plate
  • U18 Women's Trans Tasman Cup

Photo credit: Nikki Chamberlin

See Stuff.co.nz article here

Related posts

Underwater Hockey Championships
Sports

Underwater Hockey Championships

October was a big month for New Zealand underwater hockey, with the U18 Interzone Championship and the 2020 New Zealand Interclub Championships taking place.
News from Spearfishing NZ
Sports

News from Spearfishing NZ

Spearfishing tournament results and 2020 World Champs.
NZ 2019 Inter-Zones Underwater Hockey Championships
Sports

NZ 2019 Inter-Zones Underwater Hockey Championships

The NZ 2019 Inter-Zones Underwater Hockey Championships were held in April with competitors travelling from around the country and overseas to partake.
All Related

See Also

newsletter
Events

NZ Divers Survey 2024 Competition - Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions for the 2024 NZ Diver's Survey Competition. Incudes details of the Fiji holiday prize, the survey promotor, relevant dates and more.
newsletter
News

Dive Pacific to launch progressive, community-first digital platform

The New Zealand Underwater Association is pleased to announce an expansion of its Dive Pacific digital offering.
newsletter
Environment

Restrictions to stop spread of non-native Caulerpa brachypus seaweed at Aotea Great Barrier Island

Important notice to divers: There are restrictions on some water activities in parts of Great Barrier Island to prevent the spread of an invasive non-native seaweed that’s been found there.
newsletter
Events

68th Annual General Meeting 2021

On the 3rd of July 2021, the NZUA hosts its 68 Annual General Meeeting
newsletter
News

Season’s greetings from the NZUA

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from NZUA
newsletter
Survive the Dive

Survive the Dive certification launched

Survive the Dive online training and certificate platform launched for all New Zealand divers.
All Posts

Recent

NZ Divers Survey 2024 Competition - Terms & Conditions
Dive Pacific to launch progressive, community-first digital platform
Restrictions to stop spread of non-native Caulerpa brachypus seaweed at Aotea Great Barrier Island
68th Annual General Meeting 2021