Water polo duo get NZ nod

Although both profess to playing for fun and camaraderie, national recognition has taken Koko Wong and India Nathan’s burgeoning water polo careers to a new level.

The Marlborough Girls’ College students, 16-year-old Koko and India, 15, have both been named in New Zealand squads, with an end goal being a trip to the World Aquatic Champs in 2026.

For Koko, selected in the NZ under-18 squad, this is familiar territory. Last year she was a member of the NZ 15 and under team, venturing across the ditch to compete at the Australian state championships.

India gets her first national nod, named in the NZ under-16 squad, although she has earned a trial previously.

The respective squads will remain intact for the next 12 months, then they will be trimmed for the forthcoming world champs.

The girls have been kept busy honing their skills, they both play for MGC and Marlborough, Hutt under-16 and under-18 teams, with Koko representing the Hutt open women’s side in national division two.

Participation in tournaments such as the secondary school nationals and last December’s under-14 nationals, for India, have also helped garner recognition.

Koko has obviously been on the national radar for some time, working to a suggested training schedule, and is aware the game which she started out playing “for fun, eight or nine years ago” is becoming more serious.

“It changed a couple of years ago for me,” says the year 12 student, “then, it was like a dream to make a national team, but now it is kind of evolving to looking at world champs after being in a minor New Zealand team last year. So, this one would be a step up into the big league, playing the best in the world. It’s a little bit daunting.”

Although she appreciates the challenges ahead, Koko relishes increased competition.

“I prefer playing at a harder level … you always improve your skills and learn new tricks in the pool as well, which helps a lot.” Both girls have been cross training in a bid to get stronger in the leg and shoulder department, a routine described as “all fun” by India.

And it is the fun factor that brings them back to the pool.

I really enjoy it,” says Koko, “there is always pressure, but it is the fun kind of pressure … the one that makes you want to keep going.”

“I just love playing with my friends,” added India, “especially the Marlborough team. You make a lot of friends and playing with them is just super fun, especially when we get to go away to tournaments together.

“It is also good that we are competitive at those tournaments now, not just making up the numbers.” Koko is also all about the friendship factor, having made several of her closest friends from among the Australian side she played against last year.

“I am in touch with them all the time … those friendships were built up so quickly during that small tournament we went to, it was just like an instant bond. That would be my highlight,” she added. Koko has future aspirations in the sport, including looking at a possible US college scholarship, or even a stint in Europe.
But, as for India, she is not looking too far ahead. “It’s too early,” she said, “at the moment I’m just rolling with it.”

The duo join Poppy Clark, a reserve goalie for the NZ 15 and under side last year, and Scott Keay, a member of the NZ 17 and under side, as recent national representatives out of the progressive Marlborough Water Polo Club.