Marist Auckland Waterpolo

18.04.2006 Wahine University of Hawaii, the current team of five Marist players, is still on track to make the finals of the in early May. Our girls, Anna Sieprath, Lisa van Raalte, Kelly Mason, Emily Cox and Amy Logan are kept busy with university studies and an intense training schedule. While the girls plan to return to New Zealand for the final stage of our domestic season, the possible qualification for the United States National Championships may delay their return to after the crucial clash with Maranui. However, Amy Logan, who is in her second season with Wahine, will stay in Hawaii for summer school.  She talks to us about travelling the U.S., the value of team training and dairy products.

How many times do you guys train?

Amy: About 20 hrs a week.
What are the main differences between U.S. and NZL water polo?

We get so much more training time so there can be a lot more focus on technique and basic skills. I think all of us here have had our fakes changed and just being able to do everything - swimming, fitness and water polo training with the team and not by yourself makes a really big difference in motivation.
What’s on the menu for the next weeks and how are your chances to qualify for U.S. Nationals?

In the next 5 weeks (through to may 14 I think) we have 3 road trips, finals and have to get out of our dorms so it's going to be very busy.  We have a good chance of qualifying for Nationals if we can stay on track and keep improving with every game.
You get around quite a bit, have you had the chance to travel the States?

We've been to a lot of different places but don't get to see much other than the pool and the main drag of each place where we usually eat.
What about Hawaii, have you seen anything besides the pool and the Uni?

I haven't managed to get to any of the other islands yet but have seen most of Oahu and really like the east side and northern side of the island.
How did the New Zealand Juniors go in their tournament?

Pretty well I think. It would have been good for them to get a bit of experience playing people they didn't know but with less pressure than a normal international game.

What do you miss most being away?

The good food, especially dairy products - cheese and yoghurt! And chocolate of course. And the coffee here isn't very good either, they don't have flat whites and you have to ask for triple shots of espresso to actually taste it.
Do you follow Marist and New Zealand water polo?