His classes were part of a fundraiser organised by Wellington East Girls’ College junior underwater hockey team to go to Rotorua for the National Underwater Hockey Championships in August.
“Fundraising is important because instead of just paying for yourself, other people can be involved as well,” says Taylor Booth (14), a member of the team.
The Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust, which is run by Pak n’ Save and New World, has given a $1000 grant for the girls who live in the Eastern suburbs.
The school sports department has assisted as well.
Other initiatives have included cake sales and selling chocolates.
They also plan to have a swimming event where they will get friends and family to sponsor them for each metre or lap of the pool they swim.
Underwater hockey involves players holding a small stick and taking turns to go underwater and tackle for the weighted puck at the bottom of the pool.
As all of the action occurs at the bottom, it is not a good spectator sport and of course, you must be good at holding your breath.
Jill Ford coaches the team of nine, though only six are in the water at a time, which includes two forwards, two mids and two backs.
The team trains on Monday mornings and also does extra training on Sundays.
The regional competition for Wellington schools was held in June.
UNDERWATER PLAYERS: Back, from left, Emma Heath, Rowena Ford, Taylor Booth, Isabella Howath; front, from left Bella Cordewell and Phoebe Stallman.
