Sport: Mountfort Park's Queen's Birthday waterpolo tournament proving a hit

Mountfort Park Waterpolo Club's annual Queen's Birthday tournament for 12-year-olds is making a splash.

It's popularity has exploded since starting in 2009 with just six teams and it's future looks secure, if this year's event is anything to go by..

There were 33 teams at this year's tournament; eight in the A grade, 11 in the B and 14 in the C.

Twenty one came from seven Auckland clubs, six from the Tauranga Water Polo Club and two from the Rotorua Waterpolo Club. Mountfort had four teams.

The field of 325 players played 127 games and scored 1100 goals over two days.

They drew a crowd that Manurewa Pool and Leisure Centre staff had never seen before. Some 3,600 people walked through the door on June 3. There are normally 500 visitors on a Saturday.

Club president Carol Rex says the club has worked hard to establish its Queen's Birthday tournament.

"It is a really well-run, friendly but competitive tournament. It's popular because we cater for three grades so there is something for players of all levels of ability. Water polo players just love to play the game. They'll travel from all over to do so and we make them feel welcome."

Rex expects next year's event to be just as big. "If the feedback is anything to go by, they will all be back."

She says an email from Auckland's Sea Wolf Water Polo Club is a typical response from visiting teams.

"It was our team's first time playing and the kids just loved it. We couldn't believe how much they improved and how they still had energy and smiles on their faces after so many games. We'll be back again next year," manager Brooke Fenton says.

Mountfort Park Toki finished runners-up in the A grade. They were unbeaten until the final where they lost 4-3 to Sea Wolf Hounds. Mountfort Matau were ninth in the B grade, Mountfort Koru, sixth in the C grade while Mountfort Pounamu, a team full of young beginners came 14th.

Mountfort Toki's Giselle Rollo and Sam Fuemana were named in the tournament team.

Rollo's sister Eimh and another player, Jessica Ingram, are in a New Zealand squad of up and coming juniors.

Tai Nimo is Mountfort waterpolo's most high profile player. The girl from Mangere made the New Zealand junior women's squad and is currently competing at the Sydney Youth Water Polo Festival.