National Championships Report
Over Waitangi weekend (Feb 5th-7th) the first edition of the New Zealand Floorball National Championship was hosted by Wellington Storm at the ASB sports centre. Thanks to the work of the organising committee, our volunteers, and the participation of players from all over the country this event was a huge success. Floorball New Zealand would like to extend a huge thank you to all the teams that attended and congratulations to our inaugural National Champions, tournament MVPs, and all-star team members. Overall, twelve teams and almost two hundred from across New Zealand competed in the tournament.
New Zealand Floorball Men’s National Championships
The Men’s grade was the largest at the tournament with six teams from Auckland, Wellington, Hutt Valley, and the South Island (Christchurch and Wanaka) all competing for the title. In the end, the final was a fast, close, and high-scoring affair between Wellington Storm and the South Coast Rangers with the championship going to the Rangers. The strength of the semi-finals promised a good contest which was won by Wellington Bays over the South Island team. After a hard pool play round and good quarter-final appearance Hutt Valley and Auckland competed for fifth with Hutt Valley coming out on top. Congratulations to Wellington Storm forward Matthew Bertschinger who was named tournament MVP in the men’s grade. The all-star team for the men’s grade included: goalie, Sandeep Navalkar; defender, Josh Elkin; defender, Christo Matheson; forward, James Matheson; forward, Luca Franchini; forward, Stanislav Krasula.
New Zealand Floorball Women’s National Championships
Wellington Storm won the championship in a close final, upsetting the Storm U19 Women’s team who they had lost to in the pool play. The third-place game was equally close with Wellington Bays edging out the combined North Island team in the end. Congratulations to North Island goalie Fiona Skene who was named tournament MVP in the women’s grade. The all-star team for the women’s grade included: goalie, Fiona Skene; defender, Marie Sundin; defender, Sophie Lee Wutzler; forward, Hannah Bertschinger; forward, Emma Fell; forward, Esther Chan.
New Zealand Floorball Women’s U19 National Champions
Only one team was entered in this grade so it was won by default, however, the Storm U19 Women’s team put up a great fight in the Women’s grade even making the final against their adult counterpart. All-star and MVP selections were included in the Women’s grade.
New Zealand Floorball Men’s U19 National Champions
The U19 Men’s grade was contested in a double-legged final between Wellington Storm and Hutt Valley. Although they played hard the Hutt Valley team had to settle for second against a stronger Storm side. Despite the one-sided games, the talent of the Hutt Valley side was recognised in the all-star team which saw three players from each team: goalie, Samuel Elkin; defender, Johnny Higham; defender, Thibault Dunkin; forward, Archie Pyrer; forward, Rory Brattle; forward Hagan Macfadyen. Congratulations to all of these players and to Orlando Jones who was named as MVP in the U19 men’s grade.
(Hutt Valley players represented by coach Coby Crafar)
All photos from the event are available here.
