National Canoe Polo rep fosters love of sport at Sacred Heart College
When Sacred Heart College student Annabel Koko-Price (Ngāti Kahungunu) isn’t on the water competing for her school, her region, or her country in Canoe Polo, she is on the sidelines coaching younger girls.
The Year 13 student has had a successful run in the sport since first starting six years ago.
Most recently, she captained the New Zealand Under 18B Women's Team that competed and came second in the Oceania Championships held in Hawke’s Bay last December.
Her first taste of the sport was when she was in Year 7 at St Mary's School in Hastings.
“Our school team needed an extra player, so I just said I’ll do it and then I trialled for the Hawke's Bay Under 14s Team and made that in intermediate. I’ve just been playing since then.”
She was selected for the Sacred Heart Senior Canoe Polo Team while she was a junior student in Year 9.
“It was a bit daunting at first, but I definitely learnt a lot playing with the older players.”
The following year, Annabel was selected for the Hawke’s Bay Women’s B3 team before playing for the B1 team last year.
“We came away with first, which was pretty hard because we were such a young team up against all of the other women's teams. So it felt pretty good.”
Annabel enjoys being on defence. “Especially side guard, you take all the pressure from the other team.” In offence, she is usually a driving shooter.
Annabel is currently only playing for the Sacred Heart College Senior Team and coaching the Junior Team. This year, she is Barbier House Leader and is focusing on her final year of high school before trialing for the national squad next year.
She enjoys coaching the Junior team, and is also helping with the senior team that she also plays in.
“I just love watching them grow. It's lots of fun. And it allows me to get to know the younger groups in our school which is cool.”
Last year, her junior team came third at regionals earning a wildcard entry into nationals.
“It was a big step-up, but the girls did really well. And then this year we've been away in Palmerston North and considering our team is very new, they did super well.”
Annabel enjoys the “family environment” that Canoe Polo fosters.
“We all know each other so well. We’ve been playing together for so long that we know how each other works and are able to rely on each other and trust each other.”
Annabel says Sacred Heart has been very supportive of her journey, with teachers and principal Mrs Neville Foster taking time to support her at games.
Sacred Heart College Principal Maria Neville-Foster says it has been a joy to watch Annabel’s journey in canoe polo.
“Her pursuit of excellence in this area never waned. She is focused and driven and not afraid to put in the hard work required to achieve at a national level.
“At Sacred Heart we encourage a sisterhood that supports personal success and Annabel is a great role model of this. She goes above and beyond with her coaching, not only in canoe polo but also in netball and she is a wonderful role model for our younger students.
“We are very proud of Annabel's achievements and look forward to her future achievements in this area.”
