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PADDLE BLACKS 2018
5th place - World Championships, Welland, Canada
Kyzen MacDonald - Coach
Where are you from: Masterton
What National League team do you play for: Expose, Palmerston North Canoe Club
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 12
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: Paddle Blacks 2006 & 2013
Hopes for this year's world games: I believe this team will be standing on the podium.
Why you chose to become the PB's coach: I wanted to Coach the Paddle Blacks because I could see a huge amount of potential with the NZ players and I believe that with the right direction we will be successful.
Nevan Hadley - Captain
Player number: 6
Age: 25
Where are you from: Palmerston North
What National League team do you play for: Auckland Hornets
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 15
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: Played for the U21 PB 2011,2012 Played for senior PB's 2014- present
Why Canoe Polo: Because it's what I'm good at
Hopes for this year's World Champs: To continue the strong results of the previous 2 years
Matt Keong - Vice captain
Player number: 5
Age: 27
Where are you from: Hawkes Bay
What National League team do you play for: Expose, Palmerston North Canoe Club
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 12
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: U21 in 2009 and 2012, NZ Men since 2011.
Why Canoe Polo: I started playing canoe polo when I was about 12 and always had a bit more passion for it than my other sports that I played. The fast/short game was always a great factor for me. I also love team sports and playing a sport with my best friend is also great, weather it's with or against him.
Hopes for this year's World Champs:: To win a medal
Alex Lowen
Player number: 1
Age: 26
Where are you from: Auckland
What National League team do you play for: Auckland Hornets
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 18 years old
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: I played 2012 World champs for U21 (4th place), Oceania champs 2013, 2015, 2017 (gold 15,17), World Champs 2016 NZ mens (5th), World Games 2017 (5th), CPSL 2018.
Why Canoe Polo: I play canoe polo for the money and the fame. Na, I think canoe polo as a sport is the best combination of peak athletic performance, highly skilled and requiring supreme team cohesion to perform. I enjoy testing myself as well as the team on the world stage. I enjoy the entire process- from training in Auckland by myself or with the squad, the training camps and building team culture, to the tours and competing against the best teams in the world.
Hopes for this year's World Champs:: As every time you compete the ultimate goal is a world championship gold medal (why would you compete for anything less). I hope the new look team comes together and forms a strong culture, develops an effective and new playing style and plays with the confidence and flare I know the team has.
Mitch Graham
Player number: 2
Age: 25
Where are you from: Hawkes Bay
What National League team do you play for: Hurricans, Hawkes Bay
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 7 years old
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: Yes, three times U21 2009, 2011 and 2012, twice Paddle Blacks 2015 and 2016
Why Canoe Polo: I love the controlled aggression and being on the water
Hopes for this year's World Champs:: To play world class polo with the team
Cole Hawkins
Player number: 3
Age: 19
Where are you from: Palmerston North
What National League team do you play for: Expose, Palmerston North Canoe Club
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 12
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: I have played for the U21 paddle blacks once in 2016 at the world championships
Why Canoe Polo: I play canoe polo because I enjoy the competitiveness of it
Hopes for this year's World Champs:: I hope to win
Jason Dalziell
Player number: 4
Age: 34
Where are you from: Palmerston North
What National League team do you play for: Expose, Palmerston North Canoe Club
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 16
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: Various teams from 2003. 2016 World Champs team in 2016
Why Canoe Polo: I like the team sport and the skill level needed to play canoe polo
Hopes for this year's World Champs: To play well as a team and look at breaking into a semifinal position.
Sammy Hapeta
Player number: 7
Age: 23
Where are you from: Palmerston North
What National League team do you play for: Vikings Black, Palmerston North
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 13
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: Have played U21's for 3 years as Captain (2013, 2014, 2016). Played Paddle Blacks for 2 years. (2015, 2017)
Why Canoe Polo: Because I missed water polo sign ups
Hopes for this year's World Champs: To become a world champion
Jade Johnson
Player number: 8
Age: 25
Where are you from: Born in Greymouth, live in Christchurch
What National League team do you play for: Justice, Christchurch
How old were you when you started playing canoe polo: 13 when i was in high school
Have you played for the U21 PB's and/or PB's before: Played for the u21s for an Oceania and World's tour. First time in the Paddle Blacks.
Why Canoe Polo: I've enjoyed it since I started playing and now I've made friends that I hope to continue to have a great friendship through polo.
Hopes for this year's World Champs:: I hope to continue to grow as a player and compete with the best players and teams in the world.
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