11/10/17

New Zealand Water Polo is very excited to announce that the 2018 FINA Water Polo World League Intercontinental Tournament will be hosted at the Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Centre from 3-8 April.

For the first time ever, both the women’s and men’s tournaments will be hosted by the same national federation at the same venue.

Entries for the Tournament close on 15 October, but it is anticipated the following countries will participate:

-          From the Americas; USA and Canada

-          From Oceania; Australia and New Zealand

-          From Asia; China, Japan and Kazakhstan

After the successful delivery of the 2016 FINA World Women’s Youth Water Polo Championships, this is another opportunity to see world class water polo in our backyard, this time of senior level.

With the likes of Olympic women’s champions USA, as well as the Australian men with New Zealand-born captain Joe Kayes, there will be a whole lot of action in the pool come April.

2020 Olympic hosts Japan are guaranteed to deliver their unique brand of water polo, based on speed and skill.

"This successful bid continues our proud history of hosting world-class international events" said chief executive officer John Payne.

"Over a three-year period we will have delivered three FINA events; next year a first with both intercontinental tournaments at once."

New Zealand has hosted variations of the FINA World League four times (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 - AKL) as well as the FINA Women's World Cup (2010 - CHCH) and FINA World Women's Youth Championships (2016 - AKL).

The tournament will run during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, bringing the flavour and excitement of the Games across the ditch and to the sport of water polo.