10/05/17

The New Zealand junior men’s team has been announced for the 2017 FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. 13 players, two reserves, and three team staff have been named for the championships.

The championships are the 19^th running of the event, in which New Zealand has not been represented since 2009. The team will play Australia, Argentina, hosts Serbia, and China after after being placed in Group C at the official draw in Budapest, Hungary in February. The junior world championships will be held from August 5-13.

The young team will be out to continue the men’s programme’s recent dominance over China; the under 18 team won 13-12 at last year’s youth world championships in Montenegro, followed up by the senior team’s 5-4 win over the national side last month at the FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament on the Gold Coast.

Following the New Zealand Under 21 National Championships, the team will depart for Montenegro on July 12^th for preparation before arrival in Belgrade, Serbia on August 3^rd.

“The team has a strong domestic preparation in terms of competition” said National Teams Programme director Eelco Uri.

“After a very close school competition for the younger players, most players are now back in the pool with their clubs for under 18, under 21, and National League sides so we’ll hope to see these players build over that time leading up to the three weeks in Europe before the tournament.”

North Harbour left-hander Matthew Morris made his international senior debut last month and gathered his second win over China after being a part of the youth team that did the same in 2016. Marist’s Liam Paterson, also a senior national player, will carry experience for the team, whilst Waitakere’s Troy Armstrong returns to the international scene after a season with Turkish club ASSK Adalar, Instanbul.

New Zealand Junior Men's Team - 2017 FINA World Men's Junior Water Polo Championships

Troy Armstrong – Waitakere

Hamish Booker – Hutt

Rowan Brown – North Harbour

Daniel Cameron – Waitakere

James Catlin – North Harbour

Josh de Reeper (GK) – Maranui

Matija Jancic – UNSW West Magpies (AUS)

Brandon Matthews – North Harbour

Adam Milne – Waitakere

Matthew Morris – North Harbour

Eric Munro – Otago

Liam Paterson – Marist

Billy Simpson – Marist

Reserves:

Michael Slessor-White – North Harbour

Bronson Larsen – Marist

Team Staff:

Goran Sablic – Head Coach

Davor Carevic – Assistant Coach

Rahiti Teokotai White – Assistant Coach/Manager