16U national championships ready for action in Auckland and Wellington

The 2025 16U National Championships are just around the corner, with teams from across New Zealand — and several making the trip from Queensland — set to compete for national honours. Split across two divisions and hosted in Auckland and Wellington, this year’s tournament promises exciting match-ups, fresh rivalries, and a showcase of the country’s rising water polo talent.

Division 1 will be staged in Auckland from 24–27 September, featuring a high-calibre field that includes defending champions, international visitors, and newly combined squads looking to make their mark. Division 2 follows in Wellington from 27–30 September, with an impressive 26 teams competing across the boys’ and girls’ grades at two venues.

With national pride and plenty of future stars in the pool, both competitions are set to deliver four days of thrilling action.

Division one

24 - 27 September | Auckland

We’re excited to welcome three teams from Queensland this year (two girls’ and one boys’). With our own squads preparing for the upcoming National State Championships in Australia, this is a great chance for players to experience fresh competition and test themselves.

Girls

Atlantis Tridents return as defending champions from both the 2024 tournament and the recent Auckland league. Hot on their heels are Sea Wolf Black, runners-up in both events. Meanwhile, players from Marlborough and Hutt (who placed 5th and 6th respectively in 2024) have joined forces to create a new combined team* which is sure to bring plenty of energy to the competition.

Boys

Sea Wolf Black come in strong as reigning champions of both the 2024 tournament and the Auckland league, with Marist Red once again right behind them as runners-up. Also in the mix are teams making the trip from further afield, including Tauranga and Christchurch, adding even more depth and variety to the competition.

*Combined teams are eligible to qualify for the top 8 and medal rounds, but final placings will reflect the highest-ranked single-club New Zealand team.

Division two

27 - 30 September | Girls matches @ Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, boys matches @ Te Ngaengae

The 2025 16U Division 2 National Championships will get underway in Wellington on Saturday 27 September, with a massive 26 teams from 7 clubs set to compete across the boys’ and girls’ grades. With squads traveling from across New Zealand — and even a pair from Queensland — the stage is set for an action-packed weekend of competition.

Girls

This year’s girls’ draw features 10 teams, bringing together a mix of experienced clubs and new challengers. Atlantis City White, Canterbury Black, and Marist Blue will be looking to make strong impressions after solid showings in recent seasons, while Sea Wolf White and North Harbour White are expected to add plenty of intensity to the pool. Queensland White makes the trip across the Tasman, while Southland, Waitakere, Hawkes Bay Mermaids, and Southern Stars* round out what promises to be a highly competitive grade.

Boys

The boys’ side of the tournament is even bigger, with 16 teams ready to battle it out. Sea Wolf is once again well-represented, fielding three squads (Blue, Navy, and White), while Marist White, Canterbury Black, and Hutt will all be pushing for top-eight finishes. North Harbour White, Tauranga, Waikato, and Southland add further depth to the competition, alongside the Hawkes Bay Sea Eagles and Sea Hawkes. Meanwhile, Marlborough and Mountfort Toki bring strong regional representation, with Harbour City Hawks and Queensland White making the journey to test themselves against the country’s best.

Ones to Watch

As always, there are a few standout teams to keep an eye on. Atlantis City Tridents U16G and North Harbour White U16B have been knocking on the door for the past two years, finishing runners-up in both 2023 and 2024. Both sides will be determined to finally take the next step in 2025. Meanwhile, Queensland’s entries in each grade add an exciting international element, sure to test local rivals and raise the overall level of play.

Key details / links:

Competition webpage: https://nzwaterpolo.org.nz/16u-national-championships
Draw & Results: https://nzwaterpolo.org.nz/draws-and-results