WAIS Boys Impressive in Opening Round of Institute Challenge
A young Western Australian Institute of Sport team has come away with three wins from four matches in the opening weekend of the 2014 Australian Water Polo Institute Challenge.
With the first round hosted on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, newly minted WAIS Coach of the Year, Paul Oberman sent his charges into battle with an average age of 18 years of age.
The WAIS boys’ first match was up against another young squad, with many of the Queensland Academy of Sport’s members playing in their first Institute Challenge. WAIS recorded a comfortable 16-5 win with Australian Sharks representative George Ford scoring five goals.
Ford said the team’s fast start had set up the result.
“We started the game strongly, putting QAS on the back foot for the remainder of the game,” he said. “The boys played tough and hard for four quarters and set a good tempo for the rest of the weekend.”
Australian age representative Jordan Kremers Taylor said the contest had given the players areas of focus for improvement.
“It was an excellent start to the tournament, in terms of score line. Despite this, it was good to see aspects of the game where we need a little work and can focus on them in the future,” he said.
The WAIS boys received a far sterner challenge in their second match, when they lost 15-4 against a NSWIS side that featured seven current national team members.
Oberman’s squad identified the NSWIS side’s advantage in experience as a key difference between the squads.
“It was a good opportunity for the boys to gain some experience against a number of Aussie Sharks players,” James Fannon said. “The effort was there right from the start however, we lacked composure and intensity, allowing them to pull away in the end.”
“Our lack of experience was evident. We showed some good signs early but failed to capitalise on our opportunities and made some crucial mistakes in defence that put the game out of reach,” mused WAIS goalkeeper Ed Slade.
The WAIS squad bounced back to winning ways in the third match, posting a tight 12-8 win over a composite Victorian Institute and South Australian Academy of Sport side, set up by a strong first quarter effort.
“We really took the game to VIS/SASI early and it paid off,” said Nic Hughes. “Everyone played well and we controlled the game not really allowing them a chance to get back into the game,” he added.
“After a tough second quarter it was good that all the boys came out firing and put the game out of reach in the third quarter. We stuck to our structure and pushed the counter attack hard and got a good result,” Luke Pavillard commented.
WAIS finished the weekend with a second match against an improved QAS side. The WAIS boys earned a 12-4 win to complete a 3-1 record from the opening round.
WAIS coach Paul Oberman said the second win over QAS was a good way to end the weekend.
“The game today was a great finish for a good trip all round. We brought it to QAS early, and were clutch in the final stages, holding off their always rampant attacks. Josh Zekulich was excellent in goal, and really supported the young WAIS team – making many fine saves.
The WAIS women’s squad also contested the opening round of the women’s Institute Challenge on the Sunshine Coast with mixed results, but largely encouraging performances from a young squad.
The WAIS girls were edged 6-4 by an experienced QAS side in their opening fixture before a last quarter fadeout saw the WA girls lose to NSWIS 10-5.
The WAIS women earned their first win of the 2014 competition after defeating a VIS/SASI composite side 9-6 and closed their opening round with a highly competitive 9-9 draw with their QAS hosts.
The second round and finals for both men’s and women’s competitions will take place across the weekend of November 21-23 in Sydney.
